Böcker av Jeffrey Grenfell-Hill

A modern stage play, perfect for schools and colleges wanting to engage students with the issue of war.

This collection of scenes offers drama teachers a wide range of topics to explore through characterisation of the moment. There are scenes based on the historical past, these could be linked to cross-curricular activities. Those set in the present seek to draw young actors into a setting with which they can identify and emotionally explore. The author believes that young actors often wish to explore comedy. With this in mind, many of the scenes reflect comedic values. Some of these fun situations hold deeper resonances which the drama teacher would be able to explore with the actor. Each scene contains many different levels for the actor to identify with and emotionally develop. As the words are brought to life, the actor should imagine that they relate to a given set of circumstances; each scene is directly linked to the human situation. A young actor's motto should be: "I will live the words I learn."

This humorous and well-crafted play for an all-female cast deals with the class divisions of Edwardian England and is set before the Old Age Pensions Act was passed in 1908. It skillfully depicts the battle of Sarah Dawkins and her mother, Gran Twigden to outwit the local gentry, whose attitude is paternalistic but patronizing. As their battle ensues the audience rapidly becomes drawn into this highly entertaining and socially realistic play.6 women