Wonderful by Dean Parker

Since the early 1970s Dean Parker has written thought-provoking plays like Baghdad, Baby! and Midnight in Moscow, as well as screen work - Dean co-wrote the screenplay for the classic comedy Came a Hot Friday. It's more than 40 years since Dean's first play, Smack. His latest, the one-person play Wonderful, is based on an inspiring Marist brother and teacher from his school years in 1950s Napier. Brother Vianney teaches the lads in his class the life lessons he's discovered from watching films and romantic musicals. Lynn Freeman talks to Dean Parker about Wonderful, which premieres at Wellington's Bats Theatre on September 4th as part of the inaugural New Zealand Theatre Month.