How interesting that on the day teachers in England are striking there’s a play opening in South East London about teachers, being performed in Greenwich Theatre. The play itself is almost 40 years old, but has been thoroughly updated to reflect our recent history including the Covid pandemic and the troubles that exist in schools today. The irony or tragedy is that these issues are exactly the same as when the remarkably talented and astute playwright, John Godber, wrote the original play in 1984. This is a play that has truly stood the test of time.
It is a comedy with serious undertones. The clever writing and directing takes you from howling with laughter, clapping along to the brilliant soundtrack, to poignant moments of tears.
The play opens on a minimally set stage with three plain desks / tables and three chairs. The floor of the stage is graffitied with teenage handles. It is the three young actors who bring the stage to life with their effervescent and versatile performances: Michael Ayiotis, Terenia Barlow and Clara Morris. These three actors play at least sixteen characters between them, although their three main characters are Salty, Hobby and Gail. The main premise of the play is that these three year 11 students are presenting their BTEC performance with their practical piece to a real audience - for this weekend only in Greenwich Theatre! They have been taught drama by the young, optimistic and idealistic teacher, Miss Nixon, who, like most teachers wants to make that difference and her journey, along with ours, takes us through the year, giving us more than a glimpse into life in a modern comprehensive school. A place where only the brave or the broken would go!
It is a comedy with serious undertones. The clever writing and directing takes you from howling with laughter, clapping along to the brilliant soundtrack, to poignant moments of tears.
The play opens on a minimally set stage with three plain desks / tables and three chairs. The floor of the stage is graffitied with teenage handles. It is the three young actors who bring the stage to life with their effervescent and versatile performances: Michael Ayiotis, Terenia Barlow and Clara Morris. These three actors play at least sixteen characters between them, although their three main characters are Salty, Hobby and Gail. The main premise of the play is that these three year 11 students are presenting their BTEC performance with their practical piece to a real audience - for this weekend only in Greenwich Theatre! They have been taught drama by the young, optimistic and idealistic teacher, Miss Nixon, who, like most teachers wants to make that difference and her journey, along with ours, takes us through the year, giving us more than a glimpse into life in a modern comprehensive school. A place where only the brave or the broken would go!
All the characters that you would imagine to be in a secondary school are there; Mrs Cordelia Parry, the headteacher of a failing school, beautifully portrayed by Ayiotis. His characterisation moves the head into a rather camp David Walliams- esque circa little Britain, to the tough Oggy, the school bully! The physical presentation of the many characters he plays, including dastardly Dr Basford, which, when you hear it quickly sounds rather like bastard, which to be fair, he is a bit...!
Barlow is also multi-talented, playing Hobby and the wonderful Miss Nixon. She uses her physicality to develop the nervous young teacher on her first assignment, where the 15 year olds leave genitals chalked on the board for her, to the much feistier character which has developed by the end of the play. The more mature Nixon shows strength when facing challenges with staff and her own well being. Barlow has great comedy timing and characterisation, and shows glorious singing talent during a moment of The Greatest Showman.
Clara Morris is wonderful as Gail, whilst bringing poor Maureen, the RS teacher, to life, through slick changes and shows what less assertive teachers have to endure in a secondary school; whether having to relentlessly cover colleagues’ classes, or put up with hormonal teenagers, who know much better than everyone else! However, I think that the characterisations of Jackie Prime, the PE teacher, who is all fake tan and smirks, and Doug the cantankerous caretaker were fantastic!
All three of the cast move seamlessly from one character to another, and into one scene from another. The clever lighting made these transitions very explicit. As another character came to life and all were totally watchable and believable.
The music was current, including Stormzy, Adele, songs from The Greatest Showman and Meghan Trainor to name but a few. The direction was perfection making these characters tell the story of the incredible struggle that there is in schools and have the grass definitely growing greener in the private sector. Within four months, poor Miss Nixon is worn out, she comes into conflict with Dr Basford as he has chosen to send his children to the neighbouring private school. The debate between state versus private is the theme that runs through the play. Miss Nixon wants “the best for all the children“ where as Maureen points out that “ the system is broken” John Godber's writing is engaging and relevant and whole play is a joy to watch.
Miss Nixon is between a rock and a hard place. She does want the best for the children but she also needs to survive. She does what all great teachers do and that is to form positive, lasting relationships with her pupils.
You really need to see this play if you have ever been to school, if you have taught in school, if you have children who have been to school, or you’ve ever even walked past a school! Teechers is playing at Greenwich theatre from the 27th to the 29th of April and then continues its tour in May. Playing at Bury St Edmunds, Crawley, Wokingham, Birmingham Mansfield, Chelmsford, Henley-on-Thames, Shrewsbury, Coventry, whatever you do do your best to go and see this play. It is wonderful!
Reviewer - Jo Meehan
on - 27.4.23
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