Features

Page to stage: How can book adaptations help engage pupils?

With novels by Michael Morpurgo, Mark Hadden and Neil Gaiman enjoying stage adaptations in recent years, John Johnson explores this new programming trend and looks into how it can help engage pupils in interdisciplinary learning.
Domonic Ramsden, Keir Oglivy (Boy), Aimee McGolderick and Millie Hikasa (Lettie) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Domonic Ramsden, Keir Oglivy (Boy), Aimee McGolderick and Millie Hikasa (Lettie) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane - BRINKHOFF-MOEGENBURG

It’s a trend that’s been hitting the silver screen for many years, but it seems that book adaptations are now enjoying success on our theatre stages as well. With productions Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse and Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time receiving international acclaim over the last few years, the National Theatre has just embarked on another major page-to-stage adaptation. Joel Horwood’s theatrical reimagining of Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane will be the National’s largest UK and Ireland tour production since the pandemic broke out in 2020.

BRINKHOFF-MOEGENBURG

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