Work With Us

The use of entertainment as a strategy for social change is a practice that dates back to the beginnings of organised societies.

Life-saving information, shared values and beliefs, and socially acceptable practices have been passed down from generation to generation through the art of storytelling.

Motivating behaviour change is difficult. While knowledge is important, other social and psychological factors are at play. Our work purposely designs characters and storylines in dramas that provide viewers with relatable models, that connect with them on a personal and emotional level, rather than through information alone. Dramas may help viewers become more receptive to new ways of thinking, as ideas are no longer abstract concepts but are experiences lived by individuals, through the dramas’ characters.

So-called edu-entertainment is defined as a communication strategy that intentionally seeks to reinforce or change attitudes, values, beliefs, or social practices by integrating educational content into entertainment productions.

Since 1995 we have commissioned and produced UK-wide tours of 16 original projects exploring advances in scientific research. We have worked with world-leading organisations including universities, the Wellcome Trust, arts centres, research centres, learned societies, charities and more.

  • Patient and public involvement
  • Sugar, obesity and type 2 diabetes
  • Genetic disease and screening
  • Electronic patient information
  • Clinical trials
  • Novel neurotechnologies
  • Stem cells in research and therapy
  • The use of animals in medical research
  • Neuroethics
  • Talks and seminars
  • Plays, films and digital media
  • Resources to support organisations to develop and support debates
  • Professional facilitation / training facilitators
  • Widening participation
  • Design, production and delivery of creative projects including theatre, film and digital media for specific issues
  • Facilitated workshops with scientists, researchers and creatives to explore creative and impactful ways to engage the public
  • Expert advice on public engagement programmes
  • Live theatre or films
  • Support and resource materials for schools
  • Facilitation of debate and discussion
  • Widening participation

Latest Theatre of Debate Projects

  • Featured Project

    A Picture of Health

    This play explores the story of the smallpox vaccination programme in Mysore, India in the early nineteenth century.

  • From The Dentists Chair

    Set in West Yorkshire, the action revolves round a dentist’s surgery just before Christmas and directly after the new year.

  • Every Breath

    Set against an instantly recognisable background of family life and pressures, Judith Johnson’s play takes a difficult subject and looks at both sides of the argument.

Subscribe to Theatre of Debate

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  2. New/Upcoming projects included
  3. Watch all full length plays
  4. Read the play scripts
  5. Watch actor and playwright interviews
  6. Detailed facilitator notes
  7. KS3/KS4 curriculum links
  8. Full lesson plans
  9. Debate packages
  10. Extension activities
  11. Engaging resources
  12. 2 Week free trial included

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  1. All school licence features
  2. Single user licence only
  3. 2 Week free trial included

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