First, I was never unfaithful but had to include it because infidelity is so prevalent among those with bipolar. In the USA, it is said as many as 90% of marriages with a bipolar partner end in divorce, largely owing to infidelity. It also advanced the storyline and enhanced the Melanie character. Second, I was never that good at sport. I was better than many but no champion. The rest of the story was very much as it happened. 

I wrote Geoffrey for four reasons: as a homage to my wife Sue, who is accurately portrayed as the endlessly stoic Melanie; as a conversation starter on mental health; as an insight into bipolar that would cause audiences to experience, not just watch, the consequences of massive mood swings, the truth of the turmoil which leads to suicide and particularly the five dreadfully disturbing auditory hallucinations I lived with, incrementally, from the age of 11; and finally, to portray the blitzkrieg devastation of child sexual assault.

It proved to be, as I thought it would, the elephant in the room of the play, not mentioned in written comments or in person by anyone, despite being the driving force behind Geoffrey's mental illness. It would seem some topic taboos still have way to go before they are broken down. If you were shaken and confronted, then they play may have achieved an important step in breaking through.

Finally but importantly, I want to applaud Daniel Gillett and Miranda Heckenberg of the Tamworth Dramatic Society, for their creativity, faith and patience in giving nineteen thousand words rich colour and movement and a diverse and dedicated cast who gave so much more than their talent in order to tell Geoffrey's story. Whatever your reaction to the play, we should all be proud and grateful to have such clever and courageous story tellers in our midst.

To the hero behind Geoffrey, Sue Langston, I will always love you with the dedication you deserve but never as generously as you have me. 

Peter Langston

Tamworth