Teechers

This is a modern play written by John Godber and was first performed in 1987 at the Edinburgh Fringe. It  is about  students about to leave secondary school, performing a piece of drama and the  account of their time specifically with Mr Jeff Nixon, the new drama teacher who ignites their passion for the stage with his idealism and belief that all children should be treated equally. Godber encourages groups  with the use of contemporary chart music to keep the play current, and this piece is so applicable today as it was in the mid-eighties.

Madeleine has done a brilliant job with her cast in bringing out the energy and  enthusiasm through a series of workshops in analyzing movement, shape and relationships etc. The three main actors all play multiple roles, with totally differing  characters.  Josh Gibbons  plays,  amongst others,  the drama teacher Mr Nixon who is constantly trying and  eventually succeeding in relating with his students and in the hope of giving them equal opportunities throughout the schooling system. Maia Elsey plays Gail,  the charming and flirty student  with the  potential to achieve, but a potential she has yet to discover. Grace Scott plays Hobby, a larger than life character with an infectious energy.  The supporting cast are Liv Campbell-Barr, Bella Cerely, Bailey Devereux, Matt Gilchrist, Cameron Jarrold, Beth Shave and Lucy Stokes.

Despite being choreographed they all exhibited such spontaneous improvisation and freedom of expression with incredible energy and  pace. This fast moving performance with all their multiple roles, different accents portraying the different characters and in addition  whilst having to grab their props off the back table to help with their portrayal. They managed this quite brilliantly.  There isn’t a moment to stop and think, as they are active all of  the time and work together very efficiently in moving the set and props.  It is quite evident that they all loved working on this thought provoking  piece of drama,  and will,  I’m sure,  have happy memories of the fun and laughter they experienced  in  bringing these characters to life.    

Well done to The CTC for another very enjoyable and entertaining production and we will look forward to “Oliver” in the New Year.  

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.