The Road

Joe Penhall is the author of the award winning play Blue/Orange (National Theatre, 2000). Other recent work includes the screenplay Enduring Love. Cormac McCarthy is the author of No Country for Old Men.

Cormac McCarthy's novel was one of the best I've ever read. On reading the Penhall version it quickly becomes apparent that the desperate, post-apocalyptic emptiness of the original is unnervingly preserved whilst the sparse beauty of the dialogue does provide an uncluttered, ready-made script. NATE Classroom The emotional intensity of the novel shines through in this script which would make an excellent addition to any KS4 or KS5 curriculum. NATE Classroom For teachers, the detailed scheme of work devised by Paul Bunyan and Ruth Moore is - as we have come to expect from these two drama specialists - accessible, well-structured and full of excellent ideas for the classroom. NATE Classroom It uses the film or soundtrack as a focus and, under each of its 15 logically sequenced headings, there are learning activities, teaching points, resources and further suggestions for reflection, analysis and discussion... [it] is symptomatic of the thoroughness and intelligence of a scheme of work which would be easily mediated and enjoyed by both the grizzled practitioner and the shiniest NQT. The highest compliment that can be paid is that I'm now prepared to view the film. NATE Classroom