By Mike Bartlett. Carly is a bright thirteen year old who goes to the Coalforth School in Berkshire. The school has not being doing well, but it has just recruited Sarah Parkinson, a new head with energy and vision. Exploring the hot topic of education The Core is about the impact of current policies on those going through the system. We follow Carly and Sarah into the future and it's not what we, or they, expect.

Sarah...Juliet Stevenson
Carly... Alex Tregear

Director Claire Grove

Mike Bartlett is one of the most thought-provoking playwrights in Britain today. Mike's Earthquakes In London received critical acclaim at the National Theatre last year and he has new play '13' opens at the NT this October. My Child (2007) and Cock (2009) for the Royal Court both received outstanding reviews and in 2007 Mike's 'Not Talking' for R3 scooped the Imison and Tinniswood Awards for best newcomer and best play on radio.

Of Not Talking the papers said:
"An astonishingly piece of mature writing.ambitious, troubling and true. A Sony nomination at the very least should be his". Guardian
"Brilliant..Bartlett's use of dialogue is stunning" Times
"Fierce strong frank and convincing". Daily Telegraph
"Compulsive storytelling" Financial Times
"Excellent ." Observer. Show less