Plays for Youth Theatre

Neil has written more than fifty plays and adaptations which have beenstaged extensively throughout Britain and abroad. In 2006, he wonthe Arts Council England Children's Award 'for work which displaysexcellence, inspiration and innovation in children's theatre.' Recent work includes Dancing in my Dreams (Oxfordshire TheatreCompany); A Christmas Carol (Octagon Theatre, Bolton); Leopard(Crucible Theatre, Sheffield); The Hunchback of Notre Dame and TheLost Warrior (Dukes Theatre, Lancaster); The Snow Queen, The JungleBook and Arabian Nights (Watermill Theatre, Newbury); The Firebird(Northumberland Theatre Company); and The Secret Garden (HelixTheatre, Dublin).He lives in Bolton with his wife, theatre director Eileen Murphy.

• Introduction 8TWICE UPON A TIME 13SMALL FRY 85THE MINOTAUR 123TALKING WITH ANGELS 179Chronology of Plays 232

"Neil Duffield is a highly successful writer of plays for children and young people, with over fifty productions under his belt, many of these commissioned by leading UK theatres and touring companies... Having worked closely with Neil during my career as a theatre director, I can vouch for his understanding of young audiences by the spellbound silences (and roars of laughter) that greet his productions." David Farmer, Drama Resource"There's some serious thought here about storytelling, perception, imagination, and different realities; and a few fine performances, too, from a company whose outstanding commitment and energy shine through every line of this blazingly adventurous show" The Scotsman on the Dundee Rep. productionSmall Fry: Winner of The Writers' Guild Award for Best Children's Play 2006."A play that pits dragons, scavengers and small fry against each other in a battle for power, ownership and belonging." The TelegraphThe Minotaur"A spell-binding version of the famous myth of Theseus and the Minotaur... An adventure for younger audiences [with] love, lust, betrayal and sibling rivalry.... a story that asks important questions" Sheffield StarTalking with Angels: An original and highly imaginative retelling of the complex story of Joan of Arc."This fine show is suitable for anyone over the age of 7 and it works very well, especially the last powerful scene of Joan at the stake." The Stage