Walker Books ISBN 9781406373622 £12.99
Huge congratulations to the National Theatre for this imaginative product. A perfect antidote to endless screen-watching and finger-clicking, the robust box contains an interesting range of items designed to encourage participants to create and perform their own plays. A set of 8 illustrated cards helps to choose the perfect setting such as a palace of wonders, a secret laboratory or the big city with questions to fire the imagination and tips for how to stage them. Next select your characters, helped by the 30 illustrated character cards. Perhaps you will use the TV reporter Hana Houndsley who is not afraid of tough guys, travels the globe to get her story, sometimes sleeps in her van and is always checking the sports results on her phone. Or there’s the astronaut who speaks alien languages, the fox who can sneak up on anyone or the detective who is a master of disguises. Along with information on each of the characters are practical tips to help the actors taking on each role. Also included is a Plot Twist book, guiding you to plan the three scenes for your play and a Stagecraft Handbook full of advice on everything else you will need such as making costumes and sets, creating characters, using make-up and lighting and making sure you can be heard clearly. And when you are ready to put on your production, there is a photocopiable blank programme and a set of tickets for you to complete and distribute. This is a truly interactive product which will encourage and develop creativity, co-operation, speaking and listening as well as reading and writing. Highly recommended for age 6 and over.
Pam Dowson, retired primary teacher and PGCE tutor
