Alan Share has a few lessons for backers of 'inclusive' education in his new play

At the age of 77, Newcastle's Alan Share is on his fourth career.

The former barrister, who has dabbled in politics and spent time in the family furnishing company, is now making a name for himself as a playwright. Mr Share's play, Death of a Nightingale, will be staged at the New End Theatre in London early next year.

The play tackles the issues surrounding special-needs schools and inclusive education. The plot is based on a proposal to close a successful special-needs school in order to make it fit with an "inclusive education" agenda. Characters in the play argue about the plan - Mr Share says he wanted to provoke the audience into thinking about special-needs education.

Mr Share, who wrote the play two years ago, has since reworked it for the stage. He tells People: "I think it is now much better. A rehearsed reading of the play was performed at the New End Theatre last November and it was nice to see the characters come to life.When you write a play you hope it will get performed on stage but it's not easy today. It is very competitive."