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 […]
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 john@inkpellet.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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With many productions incorporating puppetry, Susan Elkin takes a look at the growth of this traditional artform and the training opportunities now available. Puppetry has probably been around for as long as children and adults have played make-believe games. Hold a tree branch in a certain way or make it “walk”. It becomes a tiny […]
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Creating innovative theatre experiences and education workshops, Susan Elkin visits Punchdrunk in North London in advance of Small Wonders, their next production. Founded by Felix Barrett 19 years ago, Punchdrunk has long had an admirable track record of cutting edge, immersive shows which reach audiences and use spaces innovatively. The work has evolved beyond “promenade […]
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Two contrasting shows at the Tate Modern and Tate Britain caught the attention of Graham Hooper, who provides us with an insight into both. For anyone, your fiftieth year can tricky. Suspecting that your best years are behind you, and knowing that others may well agree. Perhaps the body betrays signs of being that bit […]
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The National Theatre’s major new initiative supporting the development of drama and theatre in primary schools across the country. Developed by professional theatre artists alongside teachers and senior leaders from primary schools across the country, Let’s Play is an ambitious creative learning programme designed to transform creativity and theatre-making in schools. Using a programme of Continued Professional Development […]
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Kevin Wyatt-Lown, Head of Marketing at East 15, outlines their new degree course in Creative Producing, aiming to train individuals in theatre making from behind the scenes.
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In 1988, the Square Chapel in Halifax was a shell of a building. Damaged and seemingly beyond repair, demolition seemed the only option. It was to be saved however by a passionate group of residents who believed strongly in the arts and its importance to the local area. Today the Square Chapel is a wonderful arts centre and as Mark Glover finds out, the spirit that brought the building back to life is evident in its staff, visitors and community
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Part of the Royal Court’s outreach programme, Susan Elkin finds out about Young Court and the recent schools’ tour of challenging play Cuttin’ It
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There’s art out there, just waiting for you, ready to inspire your pupils and instigate cross-curricular learning. Graham Hooper discoveres a treasure trove of resources – both old and new – and hopes you will take up this fabulous opportunity.
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Susan Elkin visits a new performing arts school in Buckinghamshire enjoying considerable success with its first cohort of graduates.
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When are we going to start developing children as readers rather then mechanically teaching them to read and seeing that as an end in itself? Susan Elkin poses the question.