TGIF š
What a world
Greetings to you.
This week, I had an unforgettable appointment with childrenās author Sir Michael Morpurgo at his home in rural Devon. You will be able to read our chat soon.
An interview is nothing like catching up with friends. It demands serious preparation: reading past interviews, watching clips, studying work, and crafting questionsāideally ones that havenāt already been asked a hundred times. After all that groundwork, you still arrive on the day with a knot in your stomach, aware that it could unravel despite your efforts.
In that sense, it feels exactly like sitting an exam: no matter how thorough your preparation, thereās always the risk that something might go wrong.
Thankfully, it went well and was a joyous moment I will never forget. What a man.
We were discussing the forthcoming UK tour of Private Peaceful, which is set to return for an extensive autumn 2026 tour across the United Kingdom. And Iām thrilled to be overseeing the education programme.
Anyway, letās crack on, thereās a lot to get through and weāre all busy people.
Thanking you,
Carl W x
* NEWS *
Future of British Storytelling at Risk, Warns National Youth Theatre CEO
As the British Academy Film Awards celebrate Britainās screen talent this Sunday, the future of storytelling faces a serious challenge, according to the National Youth Theatre. CEO and artistic director Paul Roseby highlighted in the Times a 40% decline in school drama participation since 2010, noting that 60% of top actors began on stage.
Visiting over 30 locations nationwide, from Weston-super-Mare to Glasgow, the charity is auditioning and mentoring young talent with support from Netflix. āDrama gives young people visibility, confidence and connection,ā he said, linking creative education to wellbeing and employability.
Calling for a National Youth Arts Day in schools, the theatre urges action to safeguard the pipeline of future British storytellers. What an inspired idea.
Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell to Bring West End Hit Much Ado About Nothing to Broadway
Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell will bring their acclaimed West End production of Much Ado About Nothing to Broadway later this year for a 10-week engagement. Set against a modern dance-party backdrop awash in pink, the production will play at a Shubert Organization-owned theatre to be announced.
