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 Crew the novel and Knight Crew the opera is available here: http://notesfromtheslushpile.blogspot.com/2010/06/guest-blogger-nicky-singer-good-bad-and.html

You can come and chat to me (for FREE!) on Tuesday June 29th 4.30pm at Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, Waterlow Park, London N6. I’ll be talking about Feather Boy and Knight Crew – my re-telling of the King Arthur legend. Watch out for the BBC2 documentary of the making of Knight Crew the novel into Knight Crew the opera – screening on Thursdays from 17th June, BBC2 9pm. Check other posts. Or for more info on the Holloway Festival check out http://www.hollowayartsfestival.co.uk

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.

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.

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

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 I’m still over-adrenalised (hey, I’m the guy who normally sits alone at a desk….), over-excited and totally exhausted.

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 see you there. For more information on British Bookshops & Stationers visit www.britishbookshops.co.uk

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 (250 words max) of Knight Crew the novel and take it into one of BBS’s participating stores, or submit it on-line (marked Knight Crew Competition) to nicky@nickysinger.com . You will need to give your name, contact phone number and address, plus your age. There will be one pair of tickets for Knight Crew the opera for the best review written by a 12-14 year old and a second pair for the best review in age-group 15-18. Runners-up in both categories will receive BBS gift vouchers (up to the value of £25) to spend in store. Competition entries will be judged on originality and style as well as content and the winners will have their reviews posted here on my site and also on the Glyndebourne opera site at knightcrewopera.com Closing date is Saturday 27th February 2010 (close of BBS business for paper entries and midnight for on-line entries) and winners will be notified by Tuesday 2nd March. Not much time – so good reading, good writing and good luck!

Now for the small print (only I haven’t worked out how to alter the font size yet….):
The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The first prize for each age category is one pair of tickets to the 4th March performance of Knight Crew at Glyndebourne. The winners will need to make their own transport arrangements to and from Glyndebourne. One runner-up in each category will win £25 worth of BBS gift vouchers. The prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternatives are available. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

And some rather larger print (ditto):
Knight Crew the opera takes place at Glyndebourne, 4 – 6 March 2010. Tickets are available online at www.glyndebourne.com or by calling the Box Office on 01273 815025 (adults £14, 18 & under £7). Please note that Knight Crew is not suitable for children under 12.

And also:

NEWS FLASH FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010
Nicky will be signing copies of Knight Crew in the following British Bookshops and Stationers stores: EASTBOURNE, BRIGHTON, CHICHESTER. Check this link for times and dates -bbs-signings

January 2010
Knight Crew lying on a rehearsal piano at Glyndebourne.
Why do I find this picture so moving? Perhaps just the casualness of the juxtaposition. Someone snapping a book lying on a piano. Whereas, for me, the connection is strong and strange and special.

Knight Crew is officially launched. Hooray for Brighton Library who, after the collapse of Borders Bookshops, stepped in at the last moment as our venue. Above – students from Ringmer Community College who worked fantastically hard to make the launch a success, printing flyers, designing hoodies and logos for the gangs, making Excalibur games and pouring blue fizzy drinks into light-up glasses. The students are working on the Creative Media Diploma and it was (is) their real-life job to publicise Knight Crew the opera, with their professional partner, Glyndebourne.