Back to Middle Earth

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 09 August 2022 > What's On

It’s a very overused phrase to say that a series is eagerly awaited, but with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, it’s completely justified. There were more than 250 million views of the teaser trailer in 24 hours after it aired during the Superbowl in February. The 8-part lavish first season of … Continue reading “Back to Middle Earth”

Tolkien’s World

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 22 October 2019 > What's On

Anyone who has read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings knows that JRR Tolkien was a past master at creating astonishing  worlds and civilisations. A new exhibition in Paris shows that his published work was merely the tip of the iceberg. Detailed maps, chronologies, and dozens of illustrations give a glimpse of the … Continue reading “Tolkien’s World”

Tolkien the Storyteller

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 04 June 2019 > What's On

JRR Tolkien’s stories of Middle Earth, hobbits, wizards and dragons have captured the imagination of generations. A new film looks at his experiences of friendship, love and war as a young man, and how they may have influenced the man and work. Tolkien the film opens with a young officer, Tolkien, ill with a fever, … Continue reading “Tolkien the Storyteller”

Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 20 June 2017 > Celebrate

As every Harry Potter fan knows, Harry’s birthday is 31 July, like his creator JK Rowling. But 26 June, 1997, was also an important date in the Potter canon: it saw the publication of the first volume of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The 20th anniversary of a cultural phenomenon is being … Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!”

Harry Potter at 20

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 20 June 2017 > Ready to Use

For the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first Harry Potter book, this A1+-level article aims at allowing pupils to rediscover well-known fictional characters, perhaps for the first time with the English names. It’s a good opportunity to help them develop reading strategies, using what they know to help them understand new words and … Continue reading “Harry Potter at 20”

Steampunk Video

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 20 February 2017 > Webpicks

Pupils are sure to be intrigued by the larger-than-life visuals and machines that make up the Steampunk universe. This video from the “Steampunk capital of the world” – Oamaru, New Zealand – is a great introduction. Read all about Oamaru and Steampunk in our article. Please don’t adjust your screen – the flickering camera work … Continue reading “Steampunk Video”

Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Webpicks

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 05 October 2016 > Webpicks

Tim Burton’s latest film, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, is based on the best selling American novel by Ransom Riggs. The overriding message of the story is one that fits well into any classroom full of teenagers: be different, don’t feel you have to conform to artificial norms, and respect others for their differences. … Continue reading “Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Webpicks”

Tim Burton: Gloriously Peculiar

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 05 October 2016 > What's On

Tim Burton’s latest film is being hailed as his best in twenty years. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children could have been written for the director who has always had a fascination for misfits, from Edward Scissorhands to Ed Wood or Corpse Bride. The film is based on the best selling American novel by Ransom … Continue reading “Tim Burton: Gloriously Peculiar”