Scary Play

by Judith Johnson

Published 9 April 2007

Scary Play is a new play by Judith Johnson aimed at 11-14-year olds about the subject of fear itself. The play is accompanied by teaching materials containing fantastic ideas for drama work, as well as other activities designed to answer English Framework and NC objectives.

11-year-old Kal and his friends are having a sleepover to celebrate his birthday. As the night draws in, the kids indulge in an age old pastime: scaring the living daylights out of each other.

Kal tells the story of a local house, said to be haunted by the ghost of a man who once lived there with his ageing mother and pet monkey. Kal challenges his friends to sneak into the haunted house where they find something terrifying in the upstairs bedroom…


Willow Pattern

by Judith Johnson

Published 15 June 2004
The Willow Pattern is a charming and witty play that is ideal for pupils at KS3, accompanied by stimulating background materials containing fantastic ideas for drama exercises, as well as other activities designed to answer English Framework and NC objectives. Humorously adapted from an ancient Chinese tale, The Willow Pattern is a classic tale of innocent, yet forbidden love. The Mandarin is a very powerful man who runs his province with an iron fist, tyrannical with everybody except his daughter Knoon-She. Knoon-She, however, isn't keen on marrying the noble warrior he has in mind for her, and instead has eyes for Chang, her father's humble secretary. Encompassing poetry, story-telling, proverbs and a little martial arts, The Willow Pattern is accessible, funny, moving and thought-provoking. A great drama text for Year 7 up.