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 […]
Sidebar
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This little tome should be kept in your drawer/briefcase pocket/tablet case for those moments of despair and frustration that hit all teachers at some time. Featuring 100 ‘meditations for teachers’ and a commentary on each, Jonti Mark’s self-published book brings together words from some of the most famous teachers, educators and historical figures to inspire, […]
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Published by Nick Hern Books An hour glass on the book’s front cover suggests encapsulating quintessential qualities in the slightest of vessels – and in this slim volume of reflections on Shakespeare the ground-breaking grandee of the stage sets out to do just that. In medieval times a monk would ponder mortality by keeping a […]
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In the dystopian world Pale is set in, dead people can go to work. Dead children can go to school. Dead people can even come back from the dead. All you need is to be given the Lazarus Serum quickly after you die and that’s it. But there is a catch – you become pale, […]
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I wasn’t really sure what to expect of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, because I didn’t know what the play was about. I did have knowledge of Bertolt Brecht, however, as I had studied some of his techniques in my drama lessons at school. In the play, a kingdom is torn apart by war, and the royal […]
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This wonderful, imaginative and eye-catching production has rightly won awards aplenty and extended its run at the specially-built theatre at Kings Cross Station.
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There was great delight among writers when Creative Writing was introduced as an A Level. Here, SHARON STEAD shares her experience of teaching the new qualification for the first time...
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After many years as a journalist, JOY WILKINSON is finally doing what she has always wanted to do – write plays for a living. Her new work, Britain’s Best Recruiting Sergeant, is set to give young people a fascinating insight into the First World War...
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With stage productions beamed into our cinemas, it is no surprise that the visual arts should get in on the act. LESLEY FINLAY joined a screening of a film about Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring as part of the Exhibition on Screen series...
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Polish classes are more and more in demand and as a result, children’s radio station Fun Kids is following up its popular first series of Learn Polish with 10 new episodes and 20 bespoke videos. The content is aired live and is also available on You Tube. Anna Godlewska, director at the Polish Cultural Institute in […]
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It’s tricky training to be an actress. Here RACHEL ATKINSON shares her unique experience...