Father Familiar had its premier season at BATS Theatre in 2010.

International award-winning playwright Branwen Millar (Best New Playwright at the 2005 New Plays Festival in Santa Barbara, California) has leapt into the spotlight with a hiss and a roar. Former Wellingtonian of the Year (youth category) Millar's second play, Armslength was one of the winners of the 2007 New Zealand Young Playwrights Competition.

"Intriguing in its form and content, Armslength proves that Branwen Millar's extraordinary debut play Noisy Shadows (BATS, 2006) was no flash in the pan." John Smythe, Theatreview

"Lyrical and tender, cleverly structured and beautifully written" (Lynne Cardy, Auckland Theatre Company).

Playmarket director Mark Amery enthused: "You will be hard pushed to find a smarter and better crafted play from a fresh voice this year."

Chrysalis Theatre Company commissioned Branwen to write Father Familiar for their company and it is a step up for this rapidly maturing artist. Father Familiar explores father-daughter relationships - the tensions, self-deceptions, misunderstandings and mis-communications that intrude on a loving relationship. Larry, a plastic surgeon, loves women. He also loves his son Eddie and daughter Sam. Sam, a piano teacher, would love to love her father but when Eddie dies, someone is going to take the blame.

A story of forgiveness and redemption, Father Familiar is a gripping two-hander that delivers a powerful punch.

     Biographies of John, Mel and Stephanie

Directed by Stephanie McKellar-Smith
Featuring John Bach and Mel Dodge
Lighting Design Marcus McShane, Rachel Marlow
Operator Rachel Marlow
Publicity Brianne Kerr
Photography Helen Mitchell
Print Design Paul Dodge
Producer Howard Taylor