Play Synopsis

Short Film funded by Screen West Midlands, screened Bristol Brief Encounters Festival, Birmingham Film Festival, Soho Rushes and was short-listed for a BAFTA nomination and was a finalist in the Fujifilm best new writer competition.

Molly has lung cancer and not much longer to live. As her pain increases, her son Ricky tries to give her everything he can to make her comfortable. When nothing seems to be working, she asks him to help her end her life. A last supper is prepared to help her on her way. Rhubarb And Roses is a tribute to my mom, Jean Jones: I spent eight months watching her die of lung-cancer, and although I have no firm conviction either way, it's also my informed contribution to the debate on euthanasia for people with terminal illness and in acute pain. Ged Maguire (the director) lent a sympathetic touch as his father too had recently died of cancer. It was a challenge to make a short film of life’s final taboo and to do it with dignity. But I think it’s both funny and moving, and that was how my mom was right up to the end.