this month's
Ink Pellet contains
RSC AND FOYLE FOUNDATION LAUNCH THE RSC SHAKESPEARE CURRICULUM
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Foyle Foundation joined by leading actors, including Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen & Adjoa Andoh, have launched the RSC Shakespeare Curriculum, a revolutionary new way of studying Shakespeare using the latest learning technology and innovation. The Shakespeare Curriculum is the most important development in the teaching of Shakespeare in a […]
Musical Polymath
Joanna MacGregor CBE, 66, is a concert pianist, conductor and innovator. Susan Elkin spoke to her. As the Zoom connection flashes on I see Joanna’s very familiar face in a light, bright room surrounded by pianos. “I’m in my teaching room at Royal Academy of Music”, Professor Joanna MacGregor tells me cheerfully. “This is a […]
The Boy at the Back of the Class
Ahead of its upcoming new UK tour, The Boy at the Back of the Class author Onjali Q. Raúf chatted with Ink Pellet about its increased relevance in today’s fractured society and the associated education resources developed for schools. First published in 2018, The Boy at the Back of the Class has won many awards […]
Reduced Shakespeare Company tour
Ahead of new UK tour, co-writer and director Adam Long found time to chat with Susan Elkin about the exciting new cast and associated education pack developed for schools. The Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) is back with a six-month, nationwide tour of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) visiting 29 venues from Chipping Norton […]
Playing Mr Wickham
Adrian Lukis, 68, played Mr Wickham in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and has a developed a one man show based on that. Susan Elkin spoke to him. Read the full interview in the January 2026 issue at: http://bit.ly/IP163Jan26
Global Playwright
BIG INTERVIEW Global Playwright Oladipo “Dipo” Agboluaje, 57, is a British/Nigerian playwright best known for Early Morning (2003) and lya-lle (The First Wife) which won the Alfred Fargon Award in 2009. Susan Elkin talked to him. Dipo was born in Hackney, but his family returned to Nigeria when he was nine. “So I did all […]
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 […]
News
Meet John Hopley, the editor of Ink Pellet. He is a bit of a traditionalist (Jane Austen, the Brontes, Shakespeare, Dickens…) who is developing a love of modern teen fiction.
These are just some of our occasional musings on life in the arts world in Stage Whispers, the every day tale of everyday magazine folk…
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Annie Ryan’s adaptation of Eimear McBride’s award-winning novel, A Girl is a Half-formed Thing, will be at Traverse 1, Edinburgh Fringe Festival from Thursday 6th to Sunday 30th August, 2015. It is produced by The Corn Exchange, Dublin and supported by Culture Ireland, Dublin City and Arts Council Ireland. The world premiere was at last year’s […]
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As we move into the summer and thoughts of those year 13s moving in to the ‘real world’, you might want to consider this new series of books in the ‘Dummies’ series (although make sure they understand not to take the title personally!). Publishers Wiley have launched a new Getting a Job book series covering […]
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The Classical Road Show organisation has given many thousands of children in London and the Home Counties exceptional musical experiences through its innovative concerts and workshops, and this year’s big concert experience project takes place on June 8th at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon. The project is an interactive hour-long concert for junior schools with live […]
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NT: All Change So much to look forward to as Rufus Norris takes over the National Theatre including lots of collaborations, notably wonder.land by Damon Albarn and Moira Buffini which will head to the Olivier Theatre from November after wowing visitors to the Manchester International Festival in July. This new musical, directed by Norris, is […]
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ANYONE WHO thinks ballet is not for boys, really should take a long look at the photograph here of Xander Parish, who will be starring in the Russian Ballet Icons Gala 2015. This gala evening is dedicated to the story of Russian ballet, and will be held on March 8 at the London Coliseum. Featuring […]
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It’s bizarre but true: Brian ‘boom boom’ Blessed has never before played King Lear on stage. True, true, true! Now that particular anomaly is set right with the actor’s debut in the role at Holy Trinity Church Guildford from January 17 for 25 performances. He will also be performing alongside his daughter Rosalind who will […]
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Working in perfect harmony all round drama expert, Holly Barradell, shares her experience of bringing key organisations together for the benefit of students...
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Astrid Finlay shares her love of The Fault in Our Stars...
