Drama - British Council

Miss High Leg Kick at the Edinburgh Showcase 2009. Photo by Jonathan Littlejohn

International Playwriting Competition 2011 - Winning plays set for broadcast

The winning play in the English as a Second Language category, The Wild Neighbour and the Willing Coward, by Fernanda Jaber will be broadcast on the BBC World Service Saturday 17 Dec @ 20.00 GMT with a cast including Meera Syal and Vincent Ebrahim.

Lasha Bugadze’s play The Navigator, which won the English as a First Language category, will be broadcast Saturday 31 December @ 20.00 GMT, starring Toby Jones and Indira Varma.

Long Horizons & Moving Arts

We have worked in partnership with Julie's Bicycle on the Long Horizons and Moving Arts publications, which examine different elements of the relationship between the arts and climate change.

Contemporary UK drama is more vibrant than ever before. With everything from new writing and live art to classical texts and physical theatre testing the boundaries of the theatrical form, the drama scene is thriving. Here’s where to find out all about it.

We work across all forms of drama – from live art and physical/visual theatre to classic and text-based drama. We work with our overseas network of arts managers and partners to plan, resource, deliver and evaluate high-impact arts projects involving professional artists and organisations from the UK. We aim to promote new images of the UK, to establish long-term partnerships abroad and to attract younger audiences.

Vincent Ebrahim and Daniel Rabin in Honey by Ben Ockrent, part of the Tricycle Theatre’s The Great Game: Afghanistan. Image credit: John Haynes

1927 - The Animals and Children took to the Streets. Photo: Nick Flintoff

Photo: Digital Theatre

Photo: John Haynes

Photo: Nick Flintoff

Gulf Stage

A unique digital project bringing theatre from the Middle East to a global audience - six original productions are now available to view for free on a dedicated section of the Digital Theatre website.

The Great Game: Afghanistan

Tricycle Theatre toured the USA with The Great Game: Afghanistan - their epic theatrical exploration of foreign engagement in the country over the last 150 years.

Edinburgh Showcase 2011

Our biennial platform of contemporary UK performance took place during the Edinburgh Fringe and featured some of the most outstanding small and middle-scale touring productions made in the UK.

How We Work

We are a cultural relations agency so our work in drama aims to engage with people and audiences all over the world, drawing them into a closer relationship with the UK. You can find out more about how and with whom we work here.

Current Activity

Every year we support a range of different drama activities around the world. Find out more about some recent and forthcoming projects.

Drama Publications

Find out about our specialist publications and websites such as Performance in Profile - our guide to UK performing arts companies and artists that are creating interesting work available for international touring.

Performance in Profile 2010

Performance in Profile includes statements on artistic policy, details of shows available for international touring, and contact information for selected UK artists and companies working across the disciplines of dance, drama, live art, and outdoor work.

Drama Education

We provide some specialist information about drama education in the UK, but for the most comprehensive information on studying in the UK, including performing arts, see the main British Council education site at EducationUK.