Stafford – författare

Although Jane Austen famously referred to Emma as a heroine "whom no one but myself will much like," the irony of her remark has been obvious since the first appearance of her novel in December 1815. The central character may have attracted diverse reactions, but there can be no doubt about the endless enjoyment afforded to generations of readers. The essays in this collection demonstrate the varied delights of reading Emma. Most have been written in the last twenty years, but each draws on the cumulative body of scholarship and critical analysis that has built up since the novel was first published. The purpose of the collection is to introduce readers of Austen to new ways of interpreting her most substantial and rewarding novel. Each essay engages with Emma, but there is considerable dialogue taking place between the different approaches, which collectively contributes to the enriched readings of Austen's work. The collection opens with an introduction encouraging readers to re-read Emma, and to find its pleasures magnified by the critical interpretations and scholarship represented in this casebook.

Working in partnership with the National Theatre, these new playscripts bring the theatre alive in the classroom. Each play has been carefully selected to ensure maximum impact and relevance to students, while the activities and teaching support are underpinned by National Theatre strategies so that teachers can feel confident using these approaches. Vibrant production images and the 'Making the play' section show how the play is brought to life on stage while theactivities combine a focus on English skills with the play as a perfomance.Based on Michalel Morpurgo's novel, Nick Stafford's acclaimed adaptation tells the story of Joey,beloved horse of a young farm boy, Albert. Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to France to fight in the trenches of the First World War where he faces the unrelenting horrors and dangers of the front line. Desperate to be reunited, Albert secretly enlists and sets off on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.