Terrifying teachers and hopeless pupils at Basingstoke
Hilarious, high energy and full-blooded, John Godber’s Teechers Leavers ’22, at The Haymarket on Tuesday, April 25, and Wednesday, April 26, brings to life an array of terrifying teachers and hopeless pupils through the eyes of Salty, Gail, and Hobby; three Year 11 students facing a scary world, armed only with imagination and the joy of theatre.
It’s 2022 at Whitewall, a struggling academy that’s failed its Ofsted. The bell’s gone and they can’t afford a new one. The first 15 have lost 67-0 and the playing field needs levelling.
Sadly, Whitewall’s led by donkeys. Enter Miss Nixon, a new drama teacher with fire in her belly, a lesson for the elite and a well ‘sick’ TikTok!
Will Miss Nixon abandon her students for a soothing private school?
Who puts the bounce in Miss Prime, the PE teacher? Will Mrs Parry ever find her Koko? And why does everyone smell of spring onions?
Writer John Godber said: “This refashioned version of Teechers Leavers ’22 tries to take into account the embattled nature of state education during and post Covid-19.
“It still retains its comic elements, but I think the play is stronger, if darker, as it describes a school system which pushes arts subjects to the fringes. I had thought that social divisions might have grown closer in the 30-odd years since I first wrote the play; unfortunately, from what I hear and see, the divisions are wider and the marginalisation of drama in the curriculum in state education is still advancing strongly.”
Directed by Adrian McDougall, Teechers Leavers ’22 stars Ciara Morris (The Play That Goes Wrong, Beast Quest) as Gail, Michael Ayiotis (The Sun, The Mountain and Me) as Salty and Terenia Barlow (Bridgerton) as Hobby.
Adrian McDougall adds “I come from a family of teachers and had precious little opportunity to do drama at school, so the play Teechers has always resonated with me. It’s scathing in its attack on a flawed, two-tier education system but at the same time inspiring in its celebration of the power of imagination and creativity. And what John’s done with this updated version of the script is just brilliant. It’s weightier without losing its comic irreverence. Together with our brilliant cast and artistic team, we’ll try our best to do it justice!”
Unplug, switch off, and buckle up for the world premiere tour of Teechers Leavers ‘22, John Godber’s breath-taking, breakneck comedy about education for the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’, and a generation left behind.
The performance is suitable for ages 11 and over (contains strong language).
Contact the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244 or visit https://www.anvilarts.org.uk for more information or tickets.
