Foreword by Sir Ken Robinson 50 Best Plays is for students and lovers of theatre, parents and politicians, teachers and actors, a guide to progress over 50 years in a field of theatre dedicated to children and young people. 50 Best Plays is based on Vicky Ireland's and Paul Harman's extensive working knowledge of playwriting and production in England and celebrates the wonderful work created all over the UK. At the book's heart is a detailed listing of 50 plays by English playwrights chosen by their contemporaries which have most influenced those working professionally to make theatre for young audiences in England today. It describes a journey during which many attitudes towards education and the arts have changed, much has been learned and maybe too much forgotten. Today, worldwide, practitioners in participatory or immersive theatre are working with children and young people, exploring their real world with them and helping them to express that experience through theatre. New generations of theatre-makers will find this book a useful signpost to sources of inspiration in their future work for young audiences. Celebrates the pioneers who helped establish and nurture the Theatre for Young Audiences sector in England over 50 years of original theatre Compiled by two leading practitioners, this one-stop resource is of interest to parents, teachers, theatre professionals and/or arts administrators, and others interested in professional theatre for young audiences. Launched at the 2016 World Festival of Theatre for Young Audiences, 'On the Edge', in Birmingham, UK. 2015 marked 50 years of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (known by its French acronym, ASSITEJ). From a handful of European countries, ASSITEJ has grown to be a presence in over 80 countries in every continent, promoting the right of every child to experience theatre. 1965 was also the year in which a remarkable and unique experiment combining drama, theatre and education, known as Theatre in Education, began in the UK, in Coventry.

Charlie's world is changing -- for the worse. Her new teacher refuses to call her anything but Charlotte. (Blech!) And forces her to sit next to Jamie Edwards, the most revolting, stuck-up, horrible boy in the whole class. (Yuck!) And assigns her a dreary project on the dreary Victorian period. (Ugh!) But clever Charlie isn't so easily beaten. Instead of writing a boring report, she creates a diary for Lottie, a Victorian nurserymaid, and history suddenly comes to life.

Charlie's trouble at home isn't quite so easy to fix. It's always been just her and her mom, but her mom has been acting really weird lately -- wearing makeup and dressing up for no reason. Could it be, is it possible, that Charlie's mother's got a boyfriend? There's only so much change Charlie can handle before she has to take control of her own life the way she's taken charge of Lottie's!

An energetic, fast-moving adaptation for the stage of this modern children's classic, by the best-selling author and 2005 Children's Laureate. Mandy's been picked on at school for as long as she can remember. That's why she is delighted when cheeky, daring, full-of-fun Tanya picks her as a friend. Mum isn't happy - she thinks Tanya's a 'bad girl' and a bad influence. Mandy's sure Tanya can only get her out of trouble, not into it. But can she? Vicky Ireland's stage adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's novel Bad Girls was first performed at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, in 2004. 'Vicky has adapted a handful of my books for the stage. I hope she works her magic on many more to come!' Jacqueline Wilson This edition comes with production notes indicating how the play can be staged even with minimal resources - plus a lot of ingenuity!

An adaptation for the stage of this modern children's classic by the best-selling author and 2005 Children's Laureate. Thirteen-year-old Violet has plenty to wish for. She wishes Will, her older brother, would be kinder to her. She wishes beautiful charismatic Jasmine would be her friend for ever. Most of all she wishes she could meet her favourite author, Casper Dream. Violet is sure that someone who can create the fairy tales she loves so much would be able to conjure up a solution to her problems. Seen all over the country and in the West End, this resourceful dramatisation of Jacqueline Wilson's Midnight is suitable for young actors as well as young audiences. The adapter, Vicky Ireland, has provided production notes to indicate how the play can be staged even with minimal resources - plus a lot of ingenuity! 'Vicky has adapted a handful of my books for the stage. I hope she works her magic on many more to come!' - Jacqueline Wilson

An adaptation for the stage of Jacqueline Wilson's popular novel. India and Treasure come from very different backgrounds but soon become the best of friends. Together they escape from their problems by writing diaries, inspired by their heroine, Anne Frank. But when secrets start jumping off the page and into real life, Treasure and India find themselves in deep trouble. First staged at Polka Children's Theatre in 2008, this adaptation of Secrets is suitable for young actors as well as young audiences. The adapter, Vicky Ireland, has provided production notes to indicate how the play can be staged even with minimal resources - plus a lot of ingenuity!

An adaptation for the stage of Jacqueline Wilson's popular novel. Ten-year-old Andy used to live happily at Mulberry Cottage with her family: Mum, Dad, and Radish the rabbit, who lives in Andy's pocket and shares all her secrets. But then it all went wrong: Mum went to live with Bill, and Dad went off with Carrie. And Andy is expected to shuttle between the two - living out of a suitcase - and come to terms with her strange new families. Vicky Ireland's stage adaptation of The Suitcase Kid was first staged at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, in 2007. Seen all over the country, this resourceful dramatisation is suitable for young actors as well as young audiences. Vicky Ireland has provided production notes to indicate how the play can be staged even with minimal resources - plus a lot of ingenuity!

This adaptation of Roald Dahl's story focuses on Billy's dream to restore a deserted sweet shop near his house and his adventures with The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. Designed for performance by children aged five to nine, this dramatization includes music and special effects.