Newcastle's Alan Share is making a name for himself as a successful playwright at the age of 78.
The former barrister, who has dabbled in politics and spent time in the family furnishing company, is bringing his work to London next month for a stint at the New End Theatre.
Death of a Nightingale is about the proposed closure of a special-needs school in order to make it fit in with an inclusive education agenda. Mr Share says he wanted to make the audience think about the issues surrounding special-needs education, telling People: "I don't think people realise how complicated special needs are and how many different needs there are. One size doesn't fit all."
The play is based on Mr Share's experience as the long-standing chair of governors at a special needs school in Sunderland, which "really left a mark. I tried to recreate the mood of this school.
"The key to inclusive education is to build up the child's confidence. They need dedicated teacher time, which you don't necessarily get in a mainstream setting."
Mr Share is a member of the Newcastle United Hebrew Congregation.
