Resource reviews: Performing International Plays

An excellent springboard into a library of texts which UK teachers may otherwise never discover

Performing International Plays is a not-for-profit, open access website, designed ‘to empower and support teachers in their effort to diversify the curriculum and make sure the content they deliver speaks to and represents all students in our diverse classrooms.’

The site includes 20 plays from 5 continents written in 15 languages by authors from diverse backgrounds published in English translation, which ‘can easily be incorporated into curricular and extracurricular Drama at secondary school or college level.’

Each play is accompanied by a variety of resources; five (A Fable for Now, Fireworks, I See You, The Concert and The Grain Store) come with filmed excerpts featuring professional actors performing the plays in their original language, in the published English translations, and in brand new adaptations set in different contexts. It's easy to see how these resources might inspire teachers and students to understand how the works might be adapted – culturally, linguistically, and in other ways.