Itsoseng is a love story played out against a backdrop of shattered expectations. Set in the township of Itsoseng in the North West, the play charts how the promise of each fresh beginning after 1994 has ended in despair. Mawilla, the main character, experiences this despair personally as circumstances force Dolly, the girl he has loved since primary school, into an early grave. The play is interspersed with Setswana (translations are provided), and gives a personal view of post-apartheid township life by its acclaimed author and award-winning actor, Omphile Molusi. This edition includes: an introduction by the playwright, vocabulary help on the page, exam-style questions for learners, and information on the play's historical background.

What is the je-ne-sais-quoi? How-if at all-can it be put into words? In addressing these questions, Richard Scholar offers the first full-length study of the je-ne-sais-quoi and its fortunes in early modern Europe. He describes the rise and fall of the expression as a noun and as a topic of debate, examines its cluster of meanings, and uncovers the scattered traces of its 'pre-history'. The je-ne-sais-quoi is often assumed to belong purely to the realm of the literary, but in the early modern period it serves to articulate problems of knowledge in natural philosophy, the passions, and culture, and for that reason it is approached here from an interdisciplinary perspective. Placing major figures of the period such as Montaigne, Shakespeare, Descartes, Corneille, and Pascal alongside some of their lesser-known contemporaries, Scholar argues that the je-ne-sais-quoi serves above all to capture first-person encounters with a 'certain something' that is as difficult to explain as its effects are intense. When early modern writers use the expression in this way, he suggests, they give literary form to an experience that twenty-first-century readers may recognize as something like their own.

The apples gather for a ceremonious party, Rosie is ready to be picked from the tree and united with her loving parents, Mr and Mrs Russet. But amongst the guests are Bad Apples who send the party into disarray, then the dastardly Pieman arrives looking for fresh apples and the hunt is on.

'By far the best edition of King Lear - in respect of both textual and other matters - that we now have.' John Lyon, English Language Notes 'This volume is a treasure-trove of precise information and stimulating comments on practically every aspect of the Lear-universe. I know of no other edition which I would recommend with such confidence: to students, professional colleagues and also the 'educated public'.' Dieter Mehl, Shakespeare Jahrbuch, vol 134

The task of finding scene material for young actors that is within their experiential and emotional plane is a particular problem for the acting teacher. Barbara Marchant has created a valuable reference especially for teachers working with young actors. A Young Actor's Scene Book: A Training Tool is a collection of scenes specifically chosen with the undergraduate actor in mind. The material is based on issues that young people can relate to and which has enough content to make it worthwhile for them and the teacher to work on. Marchant has helpfully arranged the scenes in categories for beginning and advanced students. She has also added a section of style and language scenes for those actors with the requisite skills to tackle them. The book includes scenes from plays by Arthur Miller, Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, Tom Stoppard, and David Rimmer, among others. An invaluable resource, A Young Actor's Scene Book will be useful to teachers in their ongoing quest to develop and reinforce the repertoire of their students.

Exam Board: AQA Level: GCSE Grade 9-1 Subject: English Literature Suitable for the 2023 exams Everything you need to revise for your GCSE 9-1 set text in a snap guide Everything you need to score top marks on your GCSE Grade 9-1 English Literature exam is right at your fingertips! Revise Great Expectations by Charles Dickens in a snap with this new GCSE Grade 9-1 Snap Revision Text Guide from Collins. Refresh your knowledge of the plot, context, characters and themes and pick up top tips along the way to ace your AQA exam. Each topic is explained in an easy-to-read format so you can get straight to the point. Then, put your skills to the test with plenty of practice questions included in every section. The Snap Text Guides are packed with every quote and extract you need. We've even included examples of how to plan and write your essay responses! For more revision on Charles Dickens, check out our Snap Revision Text Guide on A Christmas Carol (9780008247119).

Series Information:
Sourcebooks on Education

Norman Robbins pantomime tells the traditional story in which his own wacky style combines with the traditional elements to provide a script that is hilarious and imaginative, with plenty of opportunities for cast and technical crews to show their mettle. The production can be as elaborate or as simple as facilities permit and directors are free to make their own choice of songs and music.Large flexible cast

A witty, astutely observed study of sexual politics in contemporary society which centres on an all-female reading group. Oriole wants to study contemporary authors, while Anne prefers well-known classics. Pondering the relative merits, the women reveal themselves, their personalities echoing the literary heroines. But not everyone is there for literature. Nefarious designs are uncovered and tensions rise to a dramatic climax.5 women, 2 men

The House with the Green Shutters is a dark, provocative novel, shining a harsh and unforgiving light into the inner recesses of small-town Scotland at the turn of the last century. Written as a response to social change, and as an antidote to the sentimentality of the 'Kailyard' school, the author called it "a brutal and bloody work" - although a thread of sly humour runs through the book as well. Iain Crichton Smith's Scotnote explores this post-romantic masterpiece through a precise analysis of themes, characters, structure and language, and is ideal for senior school pupils and students.

Some children decide to put on a play. It must be about football, says one. It must be set in Space, says another. There must be adventure. So begins the production of Indiana Smith and the Cup Final of Doom, or The Return of the Tedi, in which Teddy and Jemima battle against Timmy and Popkins who are intent on destroying the Inter-Galaxy Cup Final at Wembley.Large flexible cast

Jesse, Meggie and Teddy embark on an eventful journey into the mysterious world of silver tongued Harry, the Sandman, to retrieve the magical sand. Along the way they meet some extraordinary creatures (Snoodle Werps, the Trash Trump and Litter Bugs, to name a few) before their final showdown with Jewels, the Witch, and the awesome Gump Grump. This is a colourful, fun packed adventure musical for a large cast of young people with a wonderful jazz and blues score.3 women, 2 men, 6 girls or boys

The aristocratic Boronski family live in Siberia in the years before the Russian Revolution, and a lazy, snobbish, spoilt bunch they are, except the grandmother Babushka who remembers their humble origins. Just as Spring is about to begin, their lives are disrupted by the evil Fox, who condemns Siberia to eternal cold and despatches the Wolf, her slave, to kill Babushka. One by one the Boronskis fall foul of the voracious Wolf, and only the brave woodcutter Ivan can help them...Large flexible cast

The absence of one of American writings' oldest traditions in the canon has produced a body of literature not only alienating to a large part of the population, but one which has impoverished itself of a broader representation of humanity. This book is written by teachers interested in bringing that traditional African American literature into the classroom. Documented here is the learning process that these educators experienced themselves as they read and discussed the stories and pedagogical strategies which would engage their students. In following these discussions between teachers and academics, one should be able to see how the teaching and learning of African American literature can be an exciting and challenging way of confronting and questioning pervasive cultural assumptions about race and gender. In this way, all students can bring their personal experiences and insights into the classroom. Given today's social landscape, conventional frameworks for teaching literature must be seriously revised to accommodate and address a growing multicultural population.

A fresh look at a play usually regarded as the first component of a three-part historical epic, this edition argues that Henry VI Part 1 is a 'prequel', a freestanding piece that returns for ironic and dramatic effect to a story already familiar to its audience. The play's ingenious use of stage space is closely analysed, as is its manipulation of a series of setpiece combats to give a coherent syntax of action. Discussion of the dramatic structure created by the opposing figures of Talbot and Jeanne la Pucelle, and exploration of the critical controversies surrounding the figure of Jeanne, lead to a reflection on the nature of the history play as genre in the 1590s.

Series Information:
Transforming Teaching

The story of Puss in Boots is ingeniously combined with that of Cinderella in this hilarious show. Puss in Boots transforms humble Colin Miller into Prince Charming. Cinderella's Fairy Godmother helps her to become Princess Priscilla, despite her meddling stepsisters. The two marry, providing two happy endings. Outrageous characters, a wealth of jokes and a fast-paced plot make this a hugely likeable show, which can be performed by a small cast without songs.-2 women or men

The tale of high adventure in the farmyard that became the hit movie Babe is a captivating play for children young and old. A leading writer of children's plays brings the heartwarming story of the piglet who rises to fame at the Grand Challenge Sheep Dog Trials to the stage in a dramatization that allows for flexible casting.Large flexible cast

Paul Reakes' pantomimes include many original twists to the familiar stories, with plenty of audience participation. They can be staged as simply or as elaborately as desired.4 women, 6 men

A dramatization of Dickens's classic novel, requiring a cast of between 11 and 30. The complex story moves forward quickly with the use of open staging.

Skilfully adapted from the famous original story by Hans Christian Andersen, Th e Snow Queen is the story of Gerda, a little girl who searches for her friend Kai when he is bewitched and imprisoned by the Snow Queen in her ice palace. Gerda's innocence charms all good people and animals she meets on the way. They help her to escape the Enchantress, lead her to the royal court, and on to Lapland, where, in a final confrontation with the Snow Queen's Ice Creatures, good conquers evil and the children are reunited.Large flexible cast

Published in 1983, this book considers how films are used in secondary school as teaching aids in English and Film courses. Based on a dissertation presented to Temple University, the book tackles three main questions: firstly, it explores the ways that film is used be secondary school English teachers as an adjunct to instruction. Secondly it surveys the number and types of courses offered in film study and filmmaking in specific secondary schools. Thirdly it compares and contrasts the extent and degree of teaching about film as an artistic medium of communication.

This book seeks to help teachers ensure that children develop an awareness of the prejudice expressed in books and other reading material that they encounter. Political correctness in this area is easily caricatured, yet more needs to be done to ensure that children's books deal fairly with bias in relation to gender, race, language disability, and age. The author reviews recent work which aims to counter prejudice in children's literature and traces the historical and theoretical basis of this work. Equality issues and stereotyping in a wide range of books -- old and new, popular and classic -- are also discussed.

The focus throughout the text is on the practical ways in which teachers and librarians can help children to develop an awareness of bias, so that they are less likely to adopt the prejudices consciously or subconsciously expressed by the authors they experience.

With typically disarming modesty, the author, Professor Reginald Christian, writes in his preface, 'This is a book about a book, and as such it is doubtful it would meet with Tolstoy's approval if he were alive today. He goes on to say however, 'And yet people will continue to write about Tolstoy, as they continue to write about Shakespeare. The purpose of this book is in the first place to acquaint the English reader with material which will facilitate an understanding of the process of writing "War and Peace" - material which for the most part has not been translated into English, and which is not always obtainable in Russian: draft version of the novel, Tolstoy's diaries, notebooks and letters, the historical and biographical sources he used, and the secondary critical literature about the novel. In the second place I have attempted to consider certain aspects of the finished work - structural, linguistic, and ideological - and to offer very briefly some possible lines of approach to Tolstoy's art as a novelist.'

There are six chapters: The Evolution of the Novel, Use of Sources, Idea and Genre, Structure and Composition, Language, Characterization.

"War and Peace "is arguably the greatest novel ever written. If any novel deserves this sort of critical anatomy it is "War and Peace" especially when written by one of the greatest Tolstoy scholars of the last one hundred years.