this month's
Ink Pellet contains
Dear in the spotlight
Producer, social commentator, author and now performer, Susan Elkin met the West End Producer to chat about his alter ego and recent successful Edinburgh run.
Training Central
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama is the UK’s largest drama school and has more than eleven hundred full time students. Susan Elkin provides an insight.
Reading Charter
Susan Elkin chatted to Cressida Cowell, new Children’s Laureate, about her journey and aspirations for her tenure.
Youthquake
This Autumn, Zest Theatre’s Youthquake, described as part show, part TED Talk and part party will be staged in 12 venues nationwide. The devised play, inspired by young people across the UK, is Artistic Director Toby Ealden’s most ambitious project yet and gives a powerful insight into the hidden lives and minds of Teen Britain. Here we catch up with director Toby Ealden to find out more.
LAMDA Examinations
Ensuring they remain as relevant as ever, LAMDA have introduced new syllabi for Communication, Performance, Group and Introductory. Susan Elkin spoke to LAMDA to find out more.
Into Film Festival
Now in its 7th year, the Into Film Festival returns this autumn bigger and bolder than ever, with free screenings and special events.
The Lion King
As Disney’s The Lion King celebrates its 20th anniversary in London, we look at the education opportunities available with Nancy Shakerley, Education and Outreach Manager at Disney Theatrical Productions
Play them classical music
A lifelong lover of classical music, Susan Elkin extols its virtues and implores you to expose your students to more of it, for their benefit and possibly yours!
Modern Attractions
Taking in two current shows at the Tate Modern, our exhibition correspondent Graham Hooper was moved by the forces at work.
The Worst Witch – Vaudeville Theatre
Transferred from Royal and Derngate Northampton, which produced it last year, to the Vaudeville for a short West End summer run The Worst Witch is humane, funny and beautifully staged.
Library
Ink Pellet’s book review section covers an eclectic selection of new fiction, teachers’ guides, audio books and classics.
Many of our reviews are written by teachers, so we have an expert eye on how texts will work in the classroom. We hope to create a useful archive of reviews so that you can use this as a reference. If you would like to join our panel of reviewers, please join in or email the editor Lesley.finlay@inkwellpress.co.uk We hope the section inspires you to share new fiction with your pupils or to revisit old favourites yourself
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Graham Hooper compares two contrasting photography exhibitions currently showing in London
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This Christmas, Sally Cookson will be adapting The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Mark Glover spoke to the innovative director to discuss nostalgia, story-telling and the pressures of re-working such a classic book.
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In this, the first of a regular feature examining issues facing the arts, Susan Elkin posses the question why so few men still take up ballet
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In 2013, Hull was announced as the UK’s next city of culture. As the year begins its final season of programmes and events Mark Glover explores the work of Hull Truck Theatre and looks back on some of the year’s theatrical highlights.
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Chinonyerem Odimba, 43, is an award-winning playwright best known for Amongst the Reds (Clean Break, Edinburgh Fringe and Yard Theatre London. 2016) A Blues for Nia (Eclipse Theatre/BBC), The Birdwoman of Lewisham (Arcola 2015) and Joanne (Clean Break. Soho Theatre, 2015). Her most recent success is Twist, a radical reimagining of Oliver Twist for the 21st century, commissioned by Theatre Centre. Susan Elkin talks to her.
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Frantic Assembly’s Ignition training programme is aimed at young men, some of whom have never set foot inside a theatre. Mark Glover finds out more about this pioneering scheme and how it’s challenging the male stereotype.
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Susan Elkin meets up with a colourful Rakugo story teller to find out more about this traditional Japanese art form.
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A new online resource is being developed utilising the digital tools now available to enhance the teaching and training of physical theatre performers.
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Crime fiction author Anne Cassidy, who writes for young adults, hit the headlines in 2004 with her controversial novel Looking for JJ – one of over fifty titles she has to her credit. Susan Elkin meets her.
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The Royal Exchange Theatre is an iconic landmark in the heart of Manchester with a strong pedigree of plays and a close link to its schools and communities. Mark Glover spoke to the organisation’s new Director of Learning and Engagement Inga Hirst about reaching out to those beyond the bright lights of the city.