The date Oct. 20, 2004 will likely have little significance to most people in Weyburn, or even the whole of Saskatchewan, for that matter.

However, that date marks the 100th birthday for one of the Weyburn's most prominent figures - Tommy Douglas, the "Father of Medicare."

And for that reason, Oct. 20 will serve as the world premiere for "Tommy Douglas - The Arrows of Desire," a one-man play about the life of the former premier of Saskatchewan.

The Arrows of Desire - a title referring to a poem quoted often by Douglas - is written by John Nolan, who will also be portraying Douglas. Nolan, a veteran actor who has previously brought to life Clarence Darrow and Cyrano de Bergerac in similar one-man productions, has been researching the subject of Douglas for the past 15 years, among other projects.

Nolan said the Arrows of Desire came about as he searched for a theatre vehicle about a "great Canadian" - not Douglas specifically. Researching the life of the former premier and MP, however, led him to the conclusion that Douglas was more interesting than "any other two people than I could find."

Douglas had skills that were diverse, said Nolan; he was both a boxing champion when he lived in Manitoba, but also one of the most formidable debaters in Canadian politics. He was intensely spiritual, but often critical of religion and the church.

And, of course, there was his political life.

"He was not your average politician. In fact, he was uncommon in that, most of the time, a politician will do anything to get elected and stay elected. His problem was, he would do things that jeopardized that because they were right," Nolan said.

Though Douglas' life was intertwined with politics, Nolan and David Jones, who will be directing the play, insist the play is not a political statement.

"I think there's a focus that we're trying to play on this - the man," said Jones, who hails from Vancouver, B.C.

The Arrows of Desire will run from Oct. 20-23 at the Weyburn Comprehensive School Cafetorium. Weyburn was chosen for the premiere because this is where Douglas began his political life; however, the community of Nanaimo, B.C., where Douglas spent his last years, also asked Nolan to host the play there.

Nolan said interest in this play will bring people to Weyburn, not just from Saskatchewan but from everywhere; he has been called, and knows of people from England who will be coming to Weyburn for the premiere.

The Arrows of Desire is being presented by the Phantom Poets Touring Company, which is Nolan's own company. Nolan said a number of local groups have aided him in creating the Arrows of Desire, including the Weyburn Arts Council and the City of Weyburn, which provided financial assistance.