FEAST ON...

The Intersektion

Me, My Dad and the Holy Ghost

This is the true story of John and Dan. John is deeply haunted by the sexual and physical abuse he experienced at the hands of the church when he was just ten years old. Dan is John’s son. In ‘Holy Ghost’, Dan shares his dad’s story, inextricably entwined with his own struggle coming out as a gay man in the southern suburbs of Adelaide in the 80s and 90s. Exploring themes of life, death, intergenerational trauma, mental health, substance use and sexuality, this is the story of one family’s determination to love and support each other through tragedy and adversity. Drawing on research into institutional childhood sexual and physical abuse from across Australia, and told with humour and heart, 'Holy Ghost' asks: can art help to provide true healing, or do some wounds run too deep? (This is a moved reading.)

Event Details

GENRE: Performance

DURATION: 75 mins

AGE RATING: Ages 15 +

LANGUAGE WARNING:

CONTENT WARNINGS: Self Harm or Suicide, Sexual Assault or Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Drug Use or References, Alcohol Use, Sexual References, Death, Mental Health, Homophobia

Wheelchair Accessible

SEATED OR STANDING: Seated

EVENT IMAGE DESCRIPTION: An ornate gold picture frame displays a grainy, old, coloured photo of a young man in a flannelette shirt giving a shoulder ride to a small infant in a blue jumpsuit. The glass of photo frame however is shattered in the middle, with a set of rosary beads draped across it some spilled white pills next to it.

13 November 2025 7.00pm

Bavarde

GA: $25

Conc: $20

14 November 2025 7.00pm

Bavarde

GA: $25

Conc: $20

15 November 2025 7.00pm

Bavarde

GA: $25

Conc: $20

Learn More About the Artist/Producer...

Dan is a performance artist, creator, facilitator, social worker and mental health clinician from Adelaide. He created his 1st work, ‘Asylum’, for the 2009 Feast Festival and 2010 Fringe Festivals. He also performed for companies including ‘Move Through Life’ (2005-2009), ‘Playground’ (2009) & ‘Bird Wisdom’ with Anya Anastasia (2010). He is a founding member of fitness comedy trio Spandexx Ballet, performing at Feast (2013), Fringe (2014, 2021), Woodford Folk Festival (2013), WOMADelaide (2014), the Bali Vegan Festival (2017), Vietnam’s Quest Festival (2018), Bangkok Pride (2019) & headlining Jai Thep Festival (2018, 2019). He co-founded Dark Horse Theatre in Thailand, performing in The Last Supper (2017), August: Osage County (2018) and The Moors (2019). He currently works in private practice as a psychotherapist whilst facilitating creative therapy, mindfulness, yoga and movement based groups and workshops. 'Holy Ghost' is his first foray into writing.