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Hope Springs Heinemann Plays
'Hope Springs' is a correctional facility for teenagers. Sent to a remote island by their parents, pupils are subject to draconian discipline in the attempt to 'cure' them of their delinquent ways. When communication with the island breaks down, an inspector discovers that the pupils have confronted the regime and taken matters into their own hands...
'Hope Springs' includes stimulating and accessible activities that encourage students to evaluate their own learning and examine the development of their skills.
'Hope Springs' includes stimulating and accessible activities that encourage students to evaluate their own learning and examine the development of their skills.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2006
3 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Richard Conlon
6 booksRichard Conlon (born 1965 in Hemel Hempstead) is an English playwright.
His plays for young people are published by Heinemann, an arm of Pearson Education. As well as his own original works he has adapted Benjamin Zephaniah’s novel ‘'Face'’ and ‘'Whispers in the Graveyard'’ by Theresa Brelsin for the stage. Both are published as play-texts for schools internationally.'in 2010 he wrote Wasted for Forest Forge Theatre Company.
His work has been performed by youth theatres in venues including the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Birmingham Rep, The Watermill (Newbury), The Georgian Theatre Royal (Richmond) and The Castle (Wellingborough). His plays have also been performed in Ireland, the USA and New Zealand.
During his career, Conlon has been the recipient of two Arts Council England Awards, one of which was for the creation of ‘Hope Springs’ which has been performed in theatres across the UK, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A play inspired by an article by Guardian journalist Decca Aitkenhead. Conlon has received commissions from Farnham Maltings, Forest Forge Theatre Company, Bristol City Council, Take Art, The Old Vic and Somerset County Council.
Conlon is a member of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain, NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education) and NAYT (National Association of Youth Theatres). He lives just outside the Dorset town of Shaftesbury.
His plays for young people are published by Heinemann, an arm of Pearson Education. As well as his own original works he has adapted Benjamin Zephaniah’s novel ‘'Face'’ and ‘'Whispers in the Graveyard'’ by Theresa Brelsin for the stage. Both are published as play-texts for schools internationally.'in 2010 he wrote Wasted for Forest Forge Theatre Company.
His work has been performed by youth theatres in venues including the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Birmingham Rep, The Watermill (Newbury), The Georgian Theatre Royal (Richmond) and The Castle (Wellingborough). His plays have also been performed in Ireland, the USA and New Zealand.
During his career, Conlon has been the recipient of two Arts Council England Awards, one of which was for the creation of ‘Hope Springs’ which has been performed in theatres across the UK, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A play inspired by an article by Guardian journalist Decca Aitkenhead. Conlon has received commissions from Farnham Maltings, Forest Forge Theatre Company, Bristol City Council, Take Art, The Old Vic and Somerset County Council.
Conlon is a member of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain, NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education) and NAYT (National Association of Youth Theatres). He lives just outside the Dorset town of Shaftesbury.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 16, 2019
I found this play on the shelves of my new classroom while looking for something (other than Shakespeare...I refuse to teach him before Y9...) to teach to Year 8 as a Drama text in my English class (having never taught Year 8 before). "Hope Springs" was a pleasant surprise! Essentially a sort of twist on "Lord of the Flies," it impressed me as quite a teachable text in terms of themes/characters/ideas, but also as an example of non-naturalistic (i.e. quite stylised) drama, quite an unusual approach for a play designed for young people.
Using the text within an English class may prove a bit tricky, though, from a logistical perspective. The different groups of characters (or "voices" and the nameless "pupils") but I've got a plan, I think. I'll record some of the voices beforehand and video our Principal doing the Principal sections (if he agrees!), then we can achieve some of the separation between flashbacks, etc. that take place. Simply reading the text would, I think, just confuse the students. Worth a try, once, anyway.
Using the text within an English class may prove a bit tricky, though, from a logistical perspective. The different groups of characters (or "voices" and the nameless "pupils") but I've got a plan, I think. I'll record some of the voices beforehand and video our Principal doing the Principal sections (if he agrees!), then we can achieve some of the separation between flashbacks, etc. that take place. Simply reading the text would, I think, just confuse the students. Worth a try, once, anyway.
February 5, 2013
A really good play that is currently been studied by Yr7 grammar students. Tackles issues like abuse of power, freedom of speech and children's rights in a dystopian context. 'Hope Springs' read like a more accessible version of '1984' and could be an excellent introduction to the genre for younger audiences.
Well worth a read - especially for teachers. The Heinemann educational edition has plenty of lesson suggestions and the play itself offers creative avenues into learning.
Well worth a read - especially for teachers. The Heinemann educational edition has plenty of lesson suggestions and the play itself offers creative avenues into learning.
October 16, 2015
I have to say, this was surprisingly good.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews