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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A Reading Agency programme, run in conjunction with local libraries, is having a real impact in helping young people develop vital skills for adulthood through reading and creative writing. Called Reading Activists it has corralled an army of volunteers to create a variety of public events. LESLEY FINLAY shares her own experience of this brilliant scheme...
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The national charity Filmclub goes from strength to strength and this autumn holds its first National Youth Film Festival as MOIRA MCVEAN explains....
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LESLEY FINLAY offers a look at the Autumn/Winter line-up for those with more classical tastes...
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Transport's modern take on As You Like It blew our reviewers away. PETER KING explains why...
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EDNA HOBBS enjoyed a nostalgic night at the theatre with John Godber's classic Teechers. So has life changed THAT much? Edna tells all...
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An amazing effort by Jane Austen fans ensures a family treasure remains in Britain - and doesn't travel to the home of US singer Kelly Clarkson! LESLEY FINLAY found out more...
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Derrick Gask, from Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, shares five of his favourite Shakespearean inventions for your delectation...
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Shakespeare Schools Festival is the largest youth drama festival in the UK, giving primary, secondary and special schools the chance to perform abridged Shakespeare plays in professional theatres across the UK every autumn. This year, SSF are working with 1,000 schools who will perform in one of 120 theatres across the UK. the festival is backed […]
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The National Theatre’s learning Programme manager Melanie Whitehead told LESLEY FINLAY about what audiences can expect from the War Horse tour...
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