Linden Walcott-Burton has over fifteen years' experience of running drama workshops – including for the National Theatre, The Old Vic, Barbican, Battersea Arts Centre and National Youth Theatre. Now he's written The Drama Workshop Leader, a comprehensive, easy-to-use guide that contains everything you need to plan and deliver effective drama sessions yourself. To get you … Continue reading Five top tips for running effective drama workshops
Youth theatre
‘The joy of connectedness’: Company Three on creating youth theatre in tumultuous times
After the huge success of Brainstorm, their youth-theatre play about the workings of the adolescent brain, pioneering theatre group Company Three are back with another brilliant play for young people: When This Is Over, a celebration of hope and imagination in a time of chaos. Conceived by the company between COVID lockdowns, and originally performed … Continue reading ‘The joy of connectedness’: Company Three on creating youth theatre in tumultuous times
How to bring Shakespeare’s plays to life for young people
Working on Shakespeare's plays can be a transformational experience for young people. His stories resonate with everyone, whatever their age or background. His language may be challenging on the page, but it comes to life when spoken aloud; we use it in our daily lives, often without even realising it. Here, arts education consultant ALANNA … Continue reading How to bring Shakespeare’s plays to life for young people
‘The training must go on!’ – Glyn Trefor-Jones on teaching drama socially distanced
Teachers and students returning to school this month are having to get to grips with a 'new normal' of bubbles, masks, and social distancing. The constraints caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic make teaching any subject trickier – but perhaps none more so than drama. That's why director, writer and teacher Glyn Trefor-Jones has created … Continue reading ‘The training must go on!’ – Glyn Trefor-Jones on teaching drama socially distanced
Edinburgh Fringe Report 2019: Amateur companies lighting up the Fringe
As attention shifts from the drama at Westminster to the drama in Edinburgh, we hear from three intrepid amateur companies performing plays licensed by Nick Hern Books at this year's Festival Fringe. From macho corporate politics to brilliant youth theatre via the Ballet Russes, they demonstrate the resourcefulness and the eclecticism of the Fringe at … Continue reading Edinburgh Fringe Report 2019: Amateur companies lighting up the Fringe
Big new plays for great big casts: the exciting new Multiplay Drama series
As Nick Hern Books launches its new Multiplay Drama series – a great range of plays with large casts that are perfect for older teenagers and young adults to perform – series editor John O’Donovan explains why it's a boon for any group looking for an ambitious play to perform with roles for all the … Continue reading Big new plays for great big casts: the exciting new Multiplay Drama series
Jack Thorne (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
Jack Thorne is the playwright behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and a five-times BAFTA-winning screenwriter. He talked to theatre journalist Al Senter about his abiding love for theatre, while, below, we publish his speech at the Nick Hern Books thirtieth anniversary party at the Royal Court Theatre in July... Jack Thorne is a … Continue reading Jack Thorne (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
Staging our own Brainstorm: an intrepid English teacher on the rewards of devising a show with teenagers
When Steven Slaughter, an English teacher at Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, decided to stage a production of Brainstorm, the acclaimed play about the workings of the teenage brain, he was taking a big risk. The show is designed to be devised by a company of teenagers, putting their own lives and experiences centre-stage. But, … Continue reading Staging our own Brainstorm: an intrepid English teacher on the rewards of devising a show with teenagers
Edinburgh Fringe Report 2017: Amateur companies taking on the Fringe
In our annual Edinburgh Fringe Report, we take a look at how amateur theatre companies fare on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where they're in competition for audiences and ratings with more than 50,000 other performances taking place across the city over the month of August. And this year, the 70th anniversary of the Festival Fringe, … Continue reading Edinburgh Fringe Report 2017: Amateur companies taking on the Fringe
Putting teenagers (and their miraculous brains) centre-stage: Ned Glasier and Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore on making Brainstorm
After being inspired by a TED Talk about the workings of the teenage brain, Ned Glasier (Artistic Director of Company Three, previously Islington Community Theatre) and co-writer Emily Lim realised they had the germ of an idea for a play that could be shaped and performed by teenagers themselves. Here, Ned Glasier charts the development … Continue reading Putting teenagers (and their miraculous brains) centre-stage: Ned Glasier and Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore on making Brainstorm
The Prompt Book 