Class

This was the first play that Sam Allan has directed, and she has every reason to be very proud of the outcome after her tenacious efforts; this play had a huge sense of realism. Her set design was superb and presented the perfect backdrop to this fast-moving performance. This script reflected the knowledge of how schools are run; how teachers are treated; the problems of limited resources and an understanding of how parents feel when told their child has learning difficulties. Sam’s direction necessitated that these issues were reflected on stage through people behaviour and emotive responses. Each scene, heavy with dialogue, demanded versatile actors able to adopt strong characterisations; and project their inner most fears and hopes; as well as transition in and out of roles of another generation. In terms of casting, the change of roles demanded some change of dialect for Donna and decisive body language. Sensitive direction ensured interactions between characters with heightened feelings of frustration and anger, created tension as appropriate and evoked empathy from the audience. I believe these were achieved on stage in the performance I watched and certainly prompted reflection.

The stage setting was every bit a primary school classroom, with ‘busy’ walls, displaying phonics; key words; a flow diagram of a lifecycle, artistic wall displays and a white board. Furniture included a teacher’s desk and two tables with tiny chairs, far too small for grown-ups, which served to also bring the adults down to a child’s level. The use of primary colours did not go unnoticed.  

This classroom at times became a volatile environment. As a teacher and a Special Needs Coordinator for over 40 years, working in a socially deprived area, I could relate to every issue, prejudice, circumstance and situation highlighted in this play. This script cleverly explored the wider context facing families, including themes of loss and relationships.  There were just three actors in this play with five characters because of the very clever doubling up of roles; changeovers were slick and impressive. This cast was brilliantly able to do this with energy and style, effectively drawing us in. They made us care for them and the themes tackled during the play were real.

In this play, recently separated Brian, (Damien Dickens) and Donna (Emily Brownhill)’s nine-year-old son, Jayden, is struggling at school and Mr McCafferty (Tony Orbell) has called them in to talk about their child’s literacy skills. However, what began as a simple after school meeting descended into chaos with the classroom becoming a microcosm of class division and cultural tension, with the contrast between a middle-class teacher and working-class parents highlighted. Brian’s anger issues bubble to the surface as do Donna’s fear that her son is going to go through life thinking something is wrong with him if they send him to an Educational Psychologist like Mr McCafferty suggests. Donna knows what it is like to be let down by the Education system where there is prejudice, and one mistake means a child in a difficult domestic situation can be excluded. Damien and Emily ably switch between playing the parents to also playing Jayden and his classmate Kaylie, which show the story from the children’s point of view. Mr McCafferty’s frustrations grow with the parents who don’t see things his way. He goes from hinting Jayden may be dyslexia and having a learning difference, to a learning difficulty to potential delinquency. He has honourable intentions not wanting Jayden to fall behind at school but fails to realise the impact of his language on Brian and Donna. In Brian’s case he argued more time was spent working to pay bills than seeing your child.; how are the right decisions made for your child when home life is fractured? As a teacher, how can one do the best thing as an educator when school policy often runs contrary to intuition? This was good play with some serious themes with all characters giving solid performances and each one displaying an abundance of baggage which was laid bare before us as scenes progressed.

Tony Orbell’s performance as the well-meaning, precise, idealistic middle-class teacher, Mr McCafferty was outstanding. His attempts to do his best for his pupils and for his parents was convincing, with his calming professional front and business manner, yet, beneath this calm exterior, his exasperation, at being misunderstood,  escalated and he lost it entirely when he punched Brian after a verbal onslaught and accusations of being patronised.

Damien Dickens played the very demanding role of Brian, a very complex character, to perfection. He physically presented himself as very frustrated by his present situation and past mistakes but hoped to make things right.  He was suitably belligerent in his role, well-intentioned but impulsive, and sometimes aggressive and intimidating, carrying the scars of his own school experience. Damien showed amazing versatility when doubling up as an uninhibited 9-year-old pupil with slightly exaggerated, floppy movements.

Emily Brownhill portrayed the role of Donna, Brian’s separated wife, with an appropriate determined manner striking out for independence. Emily was confident and self-assured on stage, a natural performer, fluent too. As Donna, she showed chinks of potential vulnerability but successfully resisted her ex’s boisterous charm as she wanted to move on with her life. Emily’s ability to multi role was impressive and her character oozed with energy and childlike behaviour as the believable Kylie, dealing with problems as a child which prompted moments full of intense sadness, for so many children are like Kylie, victims/ collateral damage when things at home don’t go according to plan. This was a touching piece of theatre with sharp reminders that mental health affects the vulnerable and school has a responsibility to support pastoral care for those that need it.

Many congratulations to director, Sam Allan and the very talented actors who gave a flawless, solid performance of a play which explored issues surrounding the class system, learning difficulties and family dynamics. Appreciation too, to all those who worked on the set construction, props, costumes and lighting. Thank you for inviting me.

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