Teechers

Three John Godber’s in three nights was the task that the crazy people at RATz had set themselves. Even with three separate casts this was a mountainous undertaking and it all kicked off with a youth production of ‘Teechers’. I love Mr Godber’s work - my favourite being ‘Shakers’, with ‘Teechers’ second and ‘Bouncers’ a slow third. This set of three included ‘April in Paris’ … which I must confess I had never heard of. With RATz musical regular Marie Cunningham in the Directorial chair and three of the brightest youth performers I know in the cast, it was very much all to play for as I took my seat at The Right Angles Theatre, Wisbech, which was being rained on hard … as it is for an average of 323 days a year! ‘Teechers’ is a classic ‘show within a show’, as three school leavers (Salty, Hobby and Gail) from a generic underprivileged school, present their farewell in a dramatic re-creation, documenting their relationship with the newly arrived drama teacher. The set ….. hadn’t bother to turn up, and to be frank, it wasn’t missed at all. A selection of minor costume changes (enhancements) and appropriate props gave these three child prodigies all that they needed to tell the story. There was lighting, sound and a little back projection, which I think was down to the genius they call Robert Williams …. but the mess of a programme made it very difficult to be sure. I believe I saw Mr Williams lurking on the night, so let’s just agree it was him and move on! This was completely an ensemble piece and the three performers were so comfortable with themselves and each other that they formed an incredibly tight fighting unit. Two girls and a boy could just as well have been three girls, three boys or any combination… there was just no awkwardness in any of the performances. Just a trio of teenagers having a wonderful time delivering three quality performance. The cast play a primary character each and then represent all the other characters in the story by adding accents, switching facial and physical appearances with a few key props and accessories. Aiden Wallace was the thorn between two roses and is less well known to me than the others. I haven’t watched him work his way through the RATz Company like the girls, but I would say he has really only found himself (dramatically that is) in the last couple of years. He continues to improve on a show by show basis and this was his best showing to date. Completely confident with his lines and moves … Mr Wallace was the backbone of this show playing Salty .. amongst others. I named Catherine Missin my Area 4 North Youth Performer for 2017 for more quality performances last year than I can be bothered to name. As Hobby she was once again completely on top of her game. The many, many lines came thick and fast with never even a suggestion that she would miss any one of them. What a mighty talent Eden Carver is. I have seen her in many productions down Wisbech way and this was one of her best so far. As schoolgirl Gail, she was unashamedly sexy and being so without any embarrassment. Miss Carver has a vast set of facial expressions that can illuminate any production. As with the rest of the cast she was so rock solid with her lines that I relaxed after about 6 minutes. Sadly, I have a wide selection of suits that are older than these three, but I am learning to live with that. As a trio they were delightfully invincible, and I would not dream of singling anyone out for special praise. They were so completely co-dependant, as Mr Godber intended, that to praise one, is to praise all. Instead I extend penultimate paragraph honours to John Harry Godber OBE who, with this title, has managed to completely capture the cash-strapped school we all went to regardless of whether it was in the ‘60’s, ‘70’s, ‘80’s or ’90’s …. you get the idea! The dynamics of school life are still the same. The disillusioned, heavy smoking and drinking teachers are the same and the children never change. His masterpiece is completely timeless and will continue to resonate with all audiences for hundreds of years to come. If you are reading this and went to public school … you will need to Google all that I have just said. My compliments to debutante director, Marie Cunningham, for an accomplished piece of theatre. The technical direction was well… flawless and the momentum was maintained from the very first minute to the very last breathless exit. This was perfect for a black box set and these three performers were perfect for this production. Miss Missin may well be pleased to have been chosen as my Youth Performer now … but let’s review that after she has had five hours of insincere clapping! Bravo RATz. Another winner!

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