"He's got two dads, my lad. One's black. That makes him black. I suppose." Manchester, 1983. Dave loves Rod Stewart, Joanne and his Ford Capri. He's all set for a new start. Only Joanne's about to have someone else's baby. Is Dave ready to become a dad even though he's not the father? A punchy and poetic exploration of family, race, identity and love, SparkPlug is the story of a white man who becomes the adoptive father, mother and best friend of a mixed-race child, David. Inspired by autobiographical events and exploring the playwright's background as an actor and spoken word artist, SparkPlug is a lyrical and energetic monologue that examines what family means in today's society.

First Published in 1993. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This book provides an excellent insight into the theory and practice of political representation, a concept that is central to the understanding of modern British politics. The book explores the key elements of representation and the inextricable connections between theory and the unique British representative tradition. Using extensive contemporary examples and key theorists, this book will be essential reading for students of British politics.

For a state traditionally characterised by the stability and continuity of its political institutions, the United Kingdom has undergone a remarkable period of rapid institutional change in recent times. This title monitors these changes and provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of the major institutions at work in the United Kingdom in the 21st century. It provides an accessible and detailed account of how political institutions work, and also encourages students to consider how institutions can be conceived - and institutional development located - within broader patterns of social, political and economic change and developing inter-institutional interactions. The book offers fresh perspectives on the UK's political system, derived from a detailed understanding of the structures and norms of major political institutions.

With trust in parliament and politicians at a seriously low level and with a need to rebuild our public institutions in the wake of COVID-19 , this innovative book questions what parliament should be in the 21st century and how it can be reimagined. Bringing together a vibrant group of parliamentary scholars and practitioners, it contemplates an institutional world of possibilities beyond the present Westminster village, generating an expansive, collaborative and collective reconsideration of parliament as a state institution, as a symbol and as a nexus of democratic modes and intentions.

With trust in parliament and politicians at a seriously low level and with a need to rebuild our public institutions in the wake of COVID-19 , this innovative book questions what parliament should be in the 21st century and how it can be reimagined. Bringing together a vibrant group of parliamentary scholars and practitioners, it contemplates an institutional world of possibilities beyond the present Westminster village, generating an expansive, collaborative and collective reconsideration of parliament as a state institution, as a symbol and as a nexus of democratic modes and intentions.

It is the scale and range of creative collaboration inherent in theatre that sits at the very heart of National Theatre Connections. National Theatre Connections 2022 draws together ten new plays for young people to perform, from some of the UK's most exciting playwrights. These are plays for a generation of theatre-makers who want to ask questions, challenge assertions and test the boundaries, and for those who love to invent and imagine a world of possibilities. The plays offer young performers an engaging and diverse range of material to perform, read or study. This 2022 anthology represents the full set of ten plays offered by the National Theatre 2022 Festival, as well as comprehensive workshop notes that give insights and inspiration for building characters, running rehearsals and staging a production.