Thursday 12 March 2009
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15:34
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New Fathers 4 Justice hold sympathy rally at theatre
New Fathers 4 Justice held a "sympathetic" rally in Bristol in praise of a new play by Mamma Mia! writer Catherine Johnson, which features two dads battling for access to their children.
Campaigners dressed as superheroes gathered outside the play, starring two fathers protesting on Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge. The work reprises F4J's real-life occupation of the landmark.
A group of 10 Batman, Spiderman and Mr Incredible lookalikes, spoke to theatre buffs on their way to see Suspension, which was staged at the Bristol Old Vic on Tuesday night.
The New F4J was set up by Nigel Ace and Mark Harris and other key members after the original fathers' rights organisation was closed by founder Matt O'Connor last September.
Johnson is a member of the theatre's board who began her career at the Old Vic and her latest play focuses on the pain caused by broken families.
Mr Ace, a 41-year-old sales manager, said it was "brilliant" that the play took inspiration from his movement and hoped that ticket holders would be moved by the themes.
The father of one said: "These are proper theatregoers so we are playing it low-key, sympathetic and melancholic.
"We are fully supportive of this play as it looks at the plight of fathers across the UK and was inspired by our demonstration on the bridge in 2004.
"We didn't want to go on the roof as that would give the wrong message. We are handing out leaflets and hope people will be moved by the play and want to find out more from us.
"Our message tonight is that we are a tragic comedy in a real-life play. In real life the reality is that divorce is ever-prevalent and children are likely to be involved."
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SPIDER on the ROOF
2 comments:
Well done Nigel.
YO! - Good one
Wishing Ye all well from New Zealand
Up on Ration Shed;
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Onward - Jim
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