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An article bout the Prison System, published on Notes From The Slush Pile

Click here to read the article

My novel – The Innocent’s Story – is a dangerous book. I didn’t know that when I wrote it. I thought it was a serious and moral attempt to contextualise terrorism for children. If the idea of talking to children about suicide bombing makes you want to turn the page, you’re not the only one. When they received the manuscript of The Innocent’s Story, my American publishers set about cancelling my contracts with immediate effect. So much for the Land of the Free. I thought things might be different here, not least because I had a good track record: my

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Bass Robert Winslade Anderson playing the OG/Mordec character in Knight Crew and bearing an uncanny resemblance to my friend Khaine

My research for Knight Crew brought me into contact with a man called Khaine, who I visited in prison for two and a half years. During that time I learnt alot about the British ‘justice’ system and Africa and street language and about being black in a white world. I was often angry, often upset. I was also incredibly moved by some of the goodness I found in very dark places. Some of that story – which fed into Knight

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Mordec gets down and dirty with the Knight Crew

Well – it’s just about to happen. In ‘Gareth Malone Goes to Glyndebourne’ (three consecutive Thursdays from 17th June) you can follow the journeys of some of the amazing kids who took part in my operatic version of Knight Crew the novel (check under Books on this site) with music by the wonderful Julian Philips. I’m missing it.

Some future writing stars

At St Mary’s Primary school in East Grinstead to give a workshop to some 10 and 11 year olds. It’s such a privilege to work with people with such glorious, open minds.

Desi Hayward, Gareth Malone and a hoodie - but which is which?

Would you want to meet either of these characters on a dark knight?

I'm the one in the middle wearing - er - the wrong colour - Saxon colours!

Knight Crew the opera opens at Glyndebourne to four star reviews in The Independent and The Guardian and a call for a West End transfer from Gramophone. To quote: This or Mama Mia? No competition. But what I feel about that is nothing to the way I feel about all the people who have made this project possible – most especially the extraordinary chorus of young people who have worked their socks off to become my Knight Crew. LEGEND! Days later

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BBS - Bookshop of choice

EXCLUSIVE BOOK SIGNING AT BRITISH BOOKSHOPS & STATIONERS

Did you see Knight Crew at Glyndebourne and fail to pick up a copy of the book? Have you heard the buzz about the new Gareth Malone BBC TV documentary on Knight Crew and want to read ahead of the game? Do you live somewhere near Chichester? If so – join me on Saturday 13 March when I will be signing copies of Knight Crew at British Bookshops & Stationers situated in Chichester town centre at 9 North Street between 12.30noon and 1.30pm. Hope to

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Knight Crew - legend!

I know I wrote it (well, alongside composer Julian Philips, of course) – but this show is AWESOME. A re-telling of the King Arthur legend set in contemporary gangland, it’s passionate, scary and…. moving. Even the rehearsals have had me reaching for a tissue – and I’m supposed to know the plot…. Tickets are selling really fast – so get some NOW. Or else win some for the opening night (March 4th) in this amazing competition sponsored by British Bookshops and Stationers (BBS) and Glyndebourne. All you have to do is write a review

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