Much-disputed events centring on Birmingham schools is subject of ambitious drama
The notorious Trojan Horse inquiry into an alleged Islamist takeover of a number of inner city schools in the east of Birmingham is the subject of a documentary play that explores the devastating impact of the affair on the city and those whose lives it touched.
Based on more than 200 hours of interviews with about 90 witnesses, including many of the teachers, pupils, parents and governors whose lives were turned upside down by the events four years ago, the play will have its premiere in Edinburgh next month.
Inevitably not everyone will agree with its interpretation of what has been described as “the best known and most polarising story about Britain’s relationship with its Muslim citizens”. Among those who declined to be interviewed for the production were Michael Gove, then the education secretary, and the head of the schools inspectorate at the time, Sir Michael Wilshaw, who later claimed to have needed two bodyguards because of concerns for his safety during the course of the inquiry.
The play is the work of the critically acclaimed theatre company Lung, which enjoyed success with its Chilcot production, based on the government inquiry into the UK’s involvement in the Iraq war and which was co-authored by Guardian journalist Richard Norton-Taylor. [The Guardian] Read more
