Tia’s award-winning novel becomes a powerful new production

St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth is behind powerful new touring production Crossing the Line, adapted from award-winning novel of the same name by Tia Fisher – which was inspired by a true story. Here, Tia explains more

Can you remind readers who you are and what you do?

I’m a writer for young people and work in Norwich’s Millennium Library. I grew up in Norfolk and Suffolk, left in my mid-twenties, and finally returned to Norwich after a gap of thirty-five years. It’s great being back!

We featured you in October 2024. What has happened since the publication of Crossing the Line?

Crossing the Line was my debut teen verse novel, a fictionalisation of the real-life story of how my friend’s son became involved in county lines. It won several major awards (including the Carnegie Shadowers’ Award, which is voted for by about 30,000 children, and the UK Literary Association Award, voted for by teachers) and is now used in many schools as a Year 9 whole-school read.  I make as many school visits around the UK as I can, to spread the word about ‘county lines’: the criminal exploitation of young people by drug gangs.

I think Crossing the Line has done so well partly because of the subject matter and also its accessibility: the verse novel format works so well for more reluctant readers.

I can’t over-emphasise how important it is for young people to read about complex and challenging topics, real issues which affect their lives, within the safe space of schools. Using fiction to generate discussion is a great way for children to be able to share opinions, build empathy and learn how to make better decisions. This is why we mustn’t allow books to be banned in our schools in the way they are in the US.

You’ve had another YA verse novel published? What can you tell us about Not Going to Plan?

Not Going to Plan is older teen verse novel which deals with important issues of consent, coercion and shame. I’m thrilled that this book has also made it to the shortlist for this year’s Carnegies – fingers crossed for the announcement in June!  

Expelled and forced to change schools, the only empty seat in Marnie’s new school is next to Zed, a nerd with zero tolerance for mistakes. Marnie (skilled at art and Spanish, struggles with numbers) can’t wait to lose her virginity. Zed (brilliant at maths and physics, loathes languages) is a loner who can’t stand being touched. They couldn’t be less alike, but what starts as a trade in tuition turns into an unlikely friendship. After a boy lies to Marnie about using a condom, she needs Zed’s help to make the hardest decision of her life. 

Not Going to Plan is told as a duologue: the conversation between Marnie and Zed is at times very funny, even if the themes are serious​. I wanted to support young people to make the choices which are right for them – whether that be around their bodies, their gender and sexuality, or their education. 

How has the St George’s Theatre production of Crossing the Line come about? And how excited are you about the forthcoming tour, supported by Norfolk and Norwich Festival?

​I’m beyond excited! A friend who works for the Norfolk Museums Service put me in touch with the producer, Debbie Thompson, who runs St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth and the Little Theatre in Sheringham.

Debbie had read Crossing the Line and was convinced it would make a great community play. Only after we’d been chatting by email for weeks did we realise we’d studied drama together at Norwich City College!

My grateful and everlasting thanks to Debbie and the team who’ve put their heart and souls into the adaptation. The project couldn’t have happened without the support of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, the Arts Council and several private sponsors, and we’re so grateful to them. These performances – and the accompanying school workshops – really could make a difference to people’s lives.

What are you working on now?

I’ve got a World War Two prose novel for younger readers coming out this November: keep your eyes out for Operation Doodlebug! It’s partly set in ‘Gorlemouth’ – a fictional mashup of Great Yarmouth and Gorlemouth, complete with kipper sellers and locked-up funfair! I’m working on a couple of new verse projects as well … but I don’t want to frighten the muse away by talking about them too soon …

How can people find out more about your work?

My website is at tiafisher.com – reach me via the contact page. Please book directly with the theatres for the tour – dates below. If you want to book a school visit, contact admin@stgeorgestheatre.com for special school rates and details of the workshop.

St George’s Producer Debbie Thompson adds: “We are so excited to be creating this new adaptation of Tia’s amazing novel.  It is an engaging and important story for both young people and adults in Norfolk and Suffolk as we see a rise in county lines activity here. Theatre has the power to bring communities together and when we showed an extract to the audience, they shared how they had similar experience and to see it reflected on stage inspired discussion and support.” 

The Crossing the Line Tour May 2026 runs from May 11 to 20, 2026:

Monday 11 May: St George’s Theatre, Great Yarmouth

Tuesday 12 May: New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

Wednesday 13 May: Sheringham Little Theatre

Thursday 14 May: The Seagull, Lowestoft

Monday 18 May: The Corn Hall Diss

Wednesday 20 May: Norwich Playhouse

Visit St George’s Theatre

Featured image of Tia Fisher by fotosbyfaith