Adapting the popular Spot books for the stage, David Wood has created an exciting introduction to theatre for small children. Using the simple plot of a birthday party, complete with entertainer, the puppy and his animal friends teach and reflect children's early experiences such as guests arriving, present giving, game playing and going home thank-yous. Th ere is fun audience participation throughout with the children treated more as party guests than simply as spectators. Plenty of fun for the actors, too, with singing, character movement and, optionally, some acrobatic skills to show off!

Giant Rumblebottom is about to destroy the kingdom, but if there is anyone with more important worries on his mind it is our unlikely hero, Olaf, who thinks he's so ugly that he has to wear a balaclava. When he wins the lottery, plastic surgery comes within his reach.

Book Band: Dark Red (Ideal for ages 10+) A vibrant retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest told through the voice of Ariel, written by Franzeska G. Ewart. A year has passed since Ariel's storm brought a shipwreck to the magical island. Now freed from slavery, Ariel returns to the island and remembers the events of that fateful day. The day that love blossomed, fools were exposed, and traitors were brought to justice. Franzeska G. Ewart's imaginative recreation of The Tempest by William Shakespeare has beautiful black-and-white illustrations by David Wyatt and is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with book-banded stories to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2 by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence. With engaging illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for home and school. For more information visit www.bloomsburyreaders.com. 'Any list that brings together such a quality line up of authors is going to be welcomed ... Bloomsbury Readers are aimed squarely at children in Key Stage 2 and designed to support them as they start reading independently and while they continue to gain confidence and understanding.' Books for Keeps

The pupils of St Campion's Comprehensive, ultra-disciplined exam machines, are devoted to their headmaster. But something strange is going on and the worst class in the world - 6Z - are going to get to the bottom of this mystery and expose the DEMON HEADMASTER! Based on the very popular children's book, The Demon Headmaster by Gillian Cross, this musical is fun, exciting and a little bit scary. An early version of the musical was 'workshopped' at the Royal National Theatre's studio in 1997 and premiered at The Pleasance Theatre, London. In 1999 it enjoyed a very successful national tour.Large flexible cast

This imaginative play is closely based on the Greek myth of Persephone's abduction and descent into the Underworld. Ceres, the Goddess of the Harvest, has a daughter, Persephone, who is kidnapped by Dis, God of the Underworld. Can Zeus, the lord of the gods, persuade Dis to let Persephone return to Earth? The compromise achieved by having Persephone divide her time between the two worlds serves as an allegory of the seasons.-Large flexible cast

"Othello: The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a gripping seven-scene interpretation of this Shakespearean masterpiece.

There is a dramatic build as each successive event draws Othello closer to jealous rage. Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him with Cassio. He plants Desdemona's handkerchief in Cassio's chamber, orchestrating Othello's undoing.

The plot concludes with Othello outrageously smothering Desdemona, discovering the truth of his deception, and dying by his own hand. This is tragedy at its finest, and performable in just a half hour.

The edition includes helpful advice by Nick Newlin on how to put on a Shakespeare production in a high school class with novice actors, as well as tips for performing the specific play and recommendations for further resources.

Julius Caesar: The 30-Minute Shakespeare presents eight spellbinding scenes from this timeless masterpiece. The action begins as the soothsayer warns Caesar of the Ides of March and continues as Brutus conspires against Caesar. Other key scenes include Caesar's riveting assassination and Antony's stirring funeral oration. This adaptation closes with Cinna the Poet's death at the hands of the mob, the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius, and Brutus' suicide. The edition includes a preface by Nick Newlin containing helpful advice on presenting Shakespeare in a high school setting with novice actors, as well as an appendix with play-specific suggestions and recommendations for further resources.

"King Lear: The 30-Minute Shakespeare" renders six powerful scenes from this enduring tragedy. Starting with Lear's banishment of Cordelia, the plot advances irresistibly, featuring scenes of brother Edmund's villainous plotting and the Fool's witty, weighty wordplay.

The action climaxes with the storm on the heath, where Lear and Poor Tom rail in exquisite madness. The abridgement concludes with moving scenes of Cordelia's tender reconciliation with King Lear and their heart-rending demise.

The edition includes helpful advice by Nick Newlin on how to put on a Shakespeare production in a high school class with novice actors, as well as tips for performing the specific play and recommendations for further resources.

"Love's Labor's Lost: The 30-Minute Shakespeare" plays three action-packed scenes from this tale of King Navarre and his three lords, who have vowed to retire from women for three years. Naturally, the Princess of France and her three ladies arrive, and comedic courtship ensues.

The cutting includes the ridiculous dance of the lords disguised as Russians, the hysterical "Pageant of the Nine Worthies," and a dramatic, bittersweet ending that leaves the King and the three lords laboring for love.

The edition includes a preface by Nick Newlin containing helpful advice on how to put on a Shakespeare performance in a high school class with novice actors, as well as an appendix with suggestions for the specific play and recommendations for further resources.

Planning a school or amateur Shakespeare production? The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited. "The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the "story" of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare's language intact. Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun! This cutting of Shakespeare's utterly charming and popular comedy MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING features five key scenes, including Beatrice and Benedick's classic initial word-battle, and the uproarious hide-and-seek deception of the two "lovers." The next scenes are the brutal rejection of Hero at the altar by a deceived Claudio and the timeless manhandling of the English language by the bumbling constable Dogberry. In the fifth and final scene, Shakespeare resolves the play's conflicts and confusions, and love reigns again. This cutting really tells the story, and includes some sidesplitting stage business, particularly the back-and-forth physical and verbal parrying between Benedick and Beatrice. The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

The Tempest: The 30-Minute Shakespeare offers eight scenes from this rich comedy. Beginning with the magical storm and shipwreck, this adaptation includes the uproarious discovery of the monster Caliban and his plot to kill Prospero. Included are the heartfelt marriage vows between Ferdinand and Miranda, the disguised antics of fairy Ariel, and Prospero's poetic abjuration of his rough magic. The edition includes a preface by Nick Newlin containing helpful advice on how to put on a Shakespeare performance in a high school class with novice actors as well as an appendix with suggestions for the specific play and recommendations for further resources.

Get young people excited about Shakespeare! The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited. "The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the "story" of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare's language intact. Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun! This cutting focuses on three ridiculously funny and vibrant scenes from A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. The first scene starts with Puck mistakenly anointing the eyes of the wrong lovers with love potion, leading to a madcap chase scene between Helena, Lysander, Hermia, and Demetrius. Scene two features Bottom's magical transformation to an ass, always an audience favorite. The final scene is the classic play within a play, where the "Rude Mechanicals" act out with "tragical mirth" the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, with specific comic suggestions for the characters, including Lion chasing Thisbe into the audience! The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

Planning a school or amateur Shakespeare production? The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited. "The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the "story" of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare's language intact. Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun! This cutting of THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR begins with one of Shakespeare's favorite fat knights, Sir John Falstaff, announcing his intention to woo both Mistress Ford and Mistress Page simultaneously, to the delight of his cohorts Bardolph, Pistol, and Nym, who then decide to double-cross Falstaff. The characters' movements on stage are clearly denoted so that even inexperienced actors can give the scenes life: Robin is nearsighted, Bardolph is a drunk who tries to juggle, and Pistol and Nym are constantly jostling for position. Other key moments include the hilarious wooing of Mistress Ford by Falstaff and the hysterical concealment of Falstaff in the laundry basket. The cutting ends in the woods with Falstaff dressed as a stag, being tormented by fairies for his comeuppance. The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

"The Two Gentlemen of Verona: The 30-Minute Shakespeare" presents six captivating scenes from this high-spirited play. Proteus pledges his love to Julia, but then falls in love with Silvia, who had planned to elope with Proteus's bosom buddy Valentine. This classic story features hilarious cross-dressing, clever disguises, and intriguing mistaken identities. It also includes the uproarious monologue featuring Launce and his dog Crab.

The edition includes helpful advice by Nick Newlin on how to put on a Shakespeare production in a high school class with novice actors, as well as tips for performing the specific play and recommendations for further resources.

Planning a school or amateur Shakespeare production? The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited. "The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the "story" of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare's language intact. Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun! This cutting of TWELFTH NIGHT, Shakespeare's bittersweet comic masterpiece, consists of three classic scenes. After an extended introductory narration, the action begins with Feste the Fool consoling a mourning Lady Olivia with wit and wordplay. Viola (disguised as a male Cesario) woos Olivia on behalf of Duke Orsino, but Olivia falls for the messenger Viola/Cesario instead. The final scene in Olivia's kitchen gives young actors an easy and specific way to play late-night revelry, as Sir Toby Belch and his friends amuse themselves with the censorious but ultimately hapless Malvolio. One highlight of the production is a group "rap" version of the song "Come Away Death." The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

"King Henry IV, Part I: The 30-Minute Shakespeare" combines comedy, tragedy, and history into a rollicking six-scene drama performable in a half hour.

This adaptation includes tavern revelry, highway robbery, and the telling role-reversal scene between the inimitable Falstaff and young Prince Hal.

The play also features the rivalry between Glendower and Hotspur and the touching reconciliation between King Henry IV and his son Hal. The action climaxes with the riveting battle scene, and includes as a coda the new King Henry V's brutal rejection of his former friend Falstaff.

The edition includes helpful advice by Nick Newlin on how to put on a Shakespeare production in a high school class with novice actors, as well as tips for performing the specific play and recommendations for further resources.

Dominic Cooke's acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of the bestselling novel by Malorie Blackman. First performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2007.

Planning a school or amateur Shakespeare production? The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited. "The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the "story" of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare's language intact. Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun! This cutting of MACBETH is edited to seven key scenes, opening with the Weird Sisters predicting Macbeth's fate. Also included are Macbeth and his villainous wife plotting to murder King Duncan, the appearance of Banquo's ghost at the banquet, the Witches' unforgettable "double double toil and trouble" scene, and Lady Macbeth's riveting "out, damned spot" sleepwalk. In the finale, the entire cast recites Macbeth's poignant "tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow" speech in unison. The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

Midsummer night's eve in Edinburgh. A girl with wings and a plastic bow and arrow sits sobbing on a bench. It's been a hard day. Love. Bites. Setting(s) Various: a park bench, school playground, a cafe, swimming pool flumes, a park, a bar, a wind farm, a flat, etc. First produced June 2012. Directed by Ruth Hollyman. Cast Size: Mixed cast of 18: 7 female, 11 male (flexible) Recommended for performers aged 14-16 Running Time 60 minutes Recommended for audiences aged 12+

Planning a school or amateur Shakespeare production? The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited. "The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the "story" of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare's language intact. Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun! This cutting of ROMEO AND JULIET is edited to four key scenes, starting with the lyrical prologue and the foreboding opening brawl, which is played out in slow motion to music. Also included are the timeless balcony scene; the harsh scolding of Juliet by her father; and the final moments at the tomb. The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

An electrifying one-woman play inspired by the true story of a woman who served as a political assassin during South Africa’s transition to democracy. As the protagonist confronts her past, she becomes a powerful symbol of defiance and compassion in a story of resistance and survival in a conflict-torn country.

Isidlamlilo/ The Fire Eater is an electrifying one-woman play inspired by the true story of a woman who served as a political assassin in the build-up to South Africa’s first democratic elections. Zenzile Maseko, the protagonist, is a 60-year-old Zulu grandmother living in a women’s hostel in Durban. Falsely declared dead by the Department of Home Affairs, she finds herself cast into a Kafkaesque nightmare that forces her to confront her past.

Flown in on the wings of the Impundulu (the lightning bird), Zenzile’s story weaves a magical and terrifying tapestry. She draws on myth, religious symbolism and traditional beliefs as she shares the realities – at times brutal, at times forgiving – of survival in South Africa. Her story touches on what it means to live through political violence, the transition to democracy, the brutality of inequality, health epidemics like HIV/AIDS, patriarchy, and the apathetic bureaucracy of government departments.

Ultimately, Isidlamlilo / The Fire Eater offers a critical and unflinching look at the eddying cycles of violence and revenge that play out across generations. Yet it is most of all a story about regeneration and redemption that speaks to both the country’s haunted past and its present-day complexities.

Isidlamlilo / The Fire Eater will appeal to teachers, high school learners, and tertiary students in theatre, drama and English studies.

Exam Board: AQA, Edexcel, OCR & WJEC Level: KS3 Subject: English First Teaching: September 2015 First Exam: June 2018 Get straight to the heart of Shakespeare's Macbeth; students' confidence and understanding develop faster as they explore the plot, themes and Shakespeare's language, which is supported throughout this abridged play text from Globe Education. This title: - Reduces the length of the play by a third, while preserving the intricacies of the plot, enabling students to engage with the whole story in the class time available - Builds understanding of Shakespeare's language by providing a detailed glossary alongside the text for quick and easy reference, plus a range of language-focused activities - Offers a tried-and-tested approach to introducing Shakespeare, based on Globe Education's shortened 'Playing Shakespeare' productions that have been seen and appreciated by over 150,000 students - Helps students form their own personal responses to Shakespeare's Macbeth, stimulated by stunning photographs from Globe productions and questions that reflect on context, characters and themes - Lays the foundations for GCSE success by including activities that target the skills needed for the assessment objectives Free teacher support Shorter Shakespeare: Macbeth is supported by free online teaching resources for each scene: - Teaching notes with guidance on how to approach the scene - Practical group activities to use in the classroom - Questions on language, context, themes, character and performance - Web links to extra resources including photographs from Globe productions, interviews with actors and contextual information This title is also accompanied by 10 video clips from Globe Education's shortened 'Playing Shakespeare' production of Macbeth.

Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy retold for children growing in reading confidence and ability. Prospero and his daughter Miranda are stranded on a lonely desert island when a magical storm washes a royal ship ashore. Prospero finally has the chance to right old wrongs but can he conjure up a happy ending? Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton. With links to recommended websites for children to find out more about Shakespeare and the play.

Exam Board: AQA Level: GCSE Subject: English First Teaching: September 2015 First Exam: June 2017 Direct your students to achieve stand-out success in their Shakespeare question with the only AQA-specific GCSE play texts; produced in partnership with Globe Education and packed with grade-boosting exam-focused activities and insider insights. This book: - Provides opportunities for students to learn, practise and reinforce the skills they need to fulfil their potential through numerous 'Exam Skills' sections matched to AQA's requirements - Progressively builds students' confidence with 'Exam Preparation' sections that show how to meet the AQA Assessment Objectives when answering exam-style questions - Helps students understand characterisation, themes and language with stimulating approaches to studying Shakespeare, devised by Globe Education - Guides you efficiently through every scene with clear explanations of the historical context to develop students' knowledge of Shakespeare's era - Anchors students in the text as a play, using vibrant photographs of Globe productions, directors' notes and actors' viewpoints to increase students' interest, enjoyment and understanding

It's Cabaret, we've got our heads down and we're dancing and drinking as fast as we can. The enemy is on its way, but this time it doesn't have guns and gas it has storms and earthquakes, fire and brimstone.... You were the glimmer. At the end of the tunnel. And you went out. Earthquakes in London is a fast and furious metropolitan crash of people, scenes and decades, as three sisters attempt to navigate their dislocated lives and loves, while their dysfunctional father, a brilliant scientist, predicts global catastrophe. The play deals, through amplified theatricality, with a range of contemporary issues from population growth to climate change. An all-pervasive fear of the future and a guilty pleasure in the excesses of the present drive Mike Bartlett's epic rollercoaster of a play from 1968 to 2525 and back again. Earthquakes in London first published in 2010 and has subsequently become a much-produced and widely studied drama text. It is published here as a Student Edition alongside commentary and notes by Bridget Escolme. The ancillary material is geared at students and includes: - an introduction outlining the play's plot, character, themes context and performance history - the full text of the play - a chronology of the playwright's life and work - extensive textual notes - questions for further study - an interview with the playwright