this month's
Ink Pellet contains
Punching Hard
Artistic director of Nottingham Playhouse, Adam Penford, 45, talks to Susan Elkin especially about Punch which opened at Apollo Theatre London this month and simultaneously on Broadway. “Yes” chuckles Adam, who is talking to me via Zoom from New York, where he is in rehearsals. “It is very unusual for a new play to open […]
First Encounters: King Lear
Once more taking Shakespeare to schools and communities around the country, Susan Elkin caught up with the RSC in Birmingham for an inspiring afternoon. “But nothing will come of nothing” called an irrepressible, totally engaged girl of about nine in response to Oliver Senton as a fine King Lear gasping his incredulous “Nothing?” in the […]
Prize Writer
Chris Power, 50, is a novelist, reviewer, teacher and judge for the 2025 Booker Prize. Susan Elkin spoke to him. Chris Power is on holiday in Sweden when I catch up with him. “Yes,” he says cheerfully. “This is the lakeside house that my Swedish wife grew up in and we’re here on holiday with […]
ROYAL COURT YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS AWARD
The 2026 Young Playwrights Award is now officially nation-wide! Do you have an idea or a story to tell? Can you imagine it performed live, by actors on a stage? It’s time to start your playwriting journey. The Young Playwrights Award is a free, open-access competition for any teenager in the UK interested in writing a play, […]
VOICED: THE FESTIVAL FOR ENDANGERED LANGUAGES
With half of the world’s languages threatened to fall silent by the end of the century comes the first ever UK festival Voiced: The Festival for Endangered Languages, celebrating the power of language and art by highlighting endangered global and local languages through a creative festival. Throughout October, the Barbican, London will be filled with an explosion of voices and […]
NATIONAL THEATRE EXPANDS SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
The National Theatre has announced its autumn programme for schools across the UK, deepening its work with young people to support its continued ambition to reach every child in the UK before they leave school. Over 90% of state secondary schools are already signed up to access the National Theatre Collection to stream world-leading theatre directly […]
The National Plan for Drama and Theatre Education
Following feedback from drama teachers, educators and other interested parties, The National Plan for Drama and Theatre Education document is now completed and you can find a direct link to the pdf here. This is a mammoth achievement and a feat of collaboration. It has been widely circulated including to the DfE Team, whose members are also […]
BROADWAY LICENSING GLOBAL OFFERS UK TEACHERS FREE PERUSALS FOR HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD SECONDARY SCHOOL EDITION
The Critically Acclaimed Show Has Now Been Adapted for UK Secondary Schools (London)—Broadway Licensing Global London, Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions are thrilled to announce that secondary school teachers can now sign up for a free perusal script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Secondary School Edition. BLG London […]
A Final Haunt
After 33 extraordinary years, Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black will haunt the stage of the Fortune Theatre for the final time, as the production ends in the West End on Saturday 4th March 2023. PW Productions announce that after 33 extraordinary years in London’s West End, the theatrical sensation that is Susan Hill’s THE […]
Reaching for the Moon
Susan Elkin paid a visit to Half Moon theatre in London’s East End to chat with CEO Chris Elwell about their extensive education outreach and innovative theatre programmes. Half Moon Theatre sits in the heart of Limehouse in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, spitting distance from the DLR and mainline station. Formerly a pretty […]
Sidebar
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A new edition of Huckleberry Finn is about to hit the shops with the ‘bad words’ left out. But we all know that great literature reflects the period in which it was written and that includes language. Should editors and publishers keep their hands off? LESLEY FINLAY asked Ink Pellet readers what they think…
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Hamlet continues to be the Shakespeare of choice for directors and educators. Ink Pellet reviewer JULIA PIRIE saw the National Theatre production in Nottingham and now understands why…
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Keith Gaines examines Michael Gove's drive to add more facts into the education system. But has the Education Secretary got his facts right..?
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Ruth Leon set herself a mission in life back in the Sixties – to share with the world her love of the theatre and in particular her love of the musicals. LESLEY FINLAY caught up with the gregarious theatre critic to see if she is achieving her aim...
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It's tougher being a dame in panto than one might think as actor Rob Forknall explains...
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Michael Dahl is a prolific author specialising in the graphic novel. He spoke to us about the art form...
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HG Wells is having something of a renaissance - but it is not his science fiction that is catching the eye but his quirky novels on society. Fresh from a reading of Kipps, Lesley Finlay looks at why it is still relevant...
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A new exhibition at the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol showcases the work of the Jamaica Street Artists, a studio that is creating a real buzz in the city. We found out more about it...
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Rambert Dance Company has an innovative education programme that is exciting and challenging. We spoke to Joce Giles, the company's head of learning and participation to find out more...
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Star of stage and screen, Jimmy Akingbola is known throughout the acting world as Mr Nice. LESLEY FINLAY caught up with him to find out how he manages to remain so grounded...