Review | Teechers – The Theatre Royal, Bath

John Godber’s Teechers has long been a popular play for many Drama students and teachers alike.

Photo © Ian Hodgson

The story of teachers struggling in the state sector with an emphasis on the poor attitude towards pupils and the role of the Arts in the school.

There are some updates in the text to honour the passing of time including a succinct and powerful debate between provision for the Arts in the state and independent sector.

Set in a struggling, urban state school teachers are exhausted, pupils are disengaged with many of them unable to see what the future can offer them in such a difficult climate.

The characters are woven through multi role playing and simple devices to keep the story alive with energy and commitment.  Three actors play all characters, under the guise of it being their BTEC Drama presentation.

Jo Patmore (Gail) and Levi Payne (Salty) lead the company with great skill. Morphing from students to teachers in a blink, with great agility and flair. Sophie Suddaby (Hobby) is the Drama Teacher who arrives with big plans only to see them eroded and term after term.

The struggle in the text is real, why does Drama hold such low priority in the school day? Why do some state schools not have a protected space for Drama lessons? Hobby is a lone voice in a hostile staff room where seats are “taken” and spirits are low.

There is an understandable new ending, given the state and independent comparisons. The students feel staff leave because they just do not want to teach them, as they have no future.

Most teachers will openly suggest that it is not the pupils that are the problem. Just the bureaucratic nonsense that places such a strain on them and the lack of visibility of the Arts within the school in general.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield