'Hope Springs' is a correctional facility for teenagers. Sent to a remote island by their parents, pupils are subject to draconian discipline in the attempt to 'cure' them of their delinquent ways. When communication with the island breaks down, an inspector discovers that the pupils have confronted the regime and taken matters into their own hands... 'Hope Springs' includes stimulating and accessible activities that encourage students to evaluate their own learning and examine the development of their skills.
Author
Richard Conlon (born 1965 in Hemel Hempstead) is an English playwright. His plays for young people are published by Heinemann, an arm of Pearson Education. As well as his own original works he has adapted Benjamin Zephaniah’s novel ‘'Face'’ and ‘'Whispers in the Graveyard'’ by Theresa Brelsin for the stage. Both are published as play-texts for schools internationally.'in 2010 he wrote Wasted for Forest Forge Theatre Company. His work has been performed by youth theatres in venues including the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Birmingham Rep, The Watermill (Newbury), The Georgian Theatre Royal (Richmond) and The Castle (Wellingborough). His plays have also been performed in Ireland, the USA and New Zealand. During his career, Conlon has been the recipient of two Arts Council England Awards, one of which was for the creation of ‘Hope Springs’ which has been performed in theatres across the UK, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A play inspired by an article by Guardian journalist Decca Aitkenhead. Conlon has received commissions from Farnham Maltings, Forest Forge Theatre Company, Bristol City Council, Take Art, The Old Vic and Somerset County Council. Conlon is a member of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain, NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education) and NAYT (National Association of Youth Theatres). He lives just outside the Dorset town of Shaftesbury.
