Teechers

All Saints Elton Theatre Company should be proud of their production of Teechers.
As both a theatre reviewer and a drama teacher who knows this play very well, I
always come into Teechers with a clear understanding of its pace, humour and
rhythm — and I’m pleased to say this production captured the spirit of the piece well.
Directed by Samantha Tarrier, this performance had a nice flow throughout and
allowed the audience to relax into the world of the play. It was clear that the cast felt
comfortable within the direction, especially considering there had been some last-
minute cast changes leading into the performance. That could easily have unsettled
the piece, but instead the performance remained steady and largely seamless. If I
could offer one small note for future performances, it would be continuing to tighten
some of the transitions between scenes, as that would lift the pace even further and
add another layer of polish.

The staging was simple yet effective, consisting of a blank performance space filled
with mismatched school desks, chairs and a central classroom board upstage. This
worked well for the style of Teechers, allowing the audience to focus on the
performers and the storytelling. Stage Management and Props by Melanie
Duff were handled smoothly throughout. I particularly enjoyed some of the smaller
prop choices, especially the broom Christmas tree, which brought a lovely bit of
character and humour to the production. The moustache used for character changes
was also a simple but effective touch, helping support the quick transformations
between roles.

Sound by Andy Milthorpe and Lighting by Laura Thompson supported the
production well and allowed the focus to remain on the actors and the fast-paced
nature of the piece.

Now to the performances.
Neill Baglin, taking on the role of Salty alongside several others, demonstrated
strong versatility throughout the performance. His quick character changes were
handled well, and he showed a good understanding of how to differentiate each role.
I particularly enjoyed his portrayal of Mr Nixon, where his character work and comic
timing landed nicely with the audience.
Teri Edwards, playing Hobby, was a real standout for me. From the moment you
stepped on stage, I found myself drawn to your performance. As a drama teacher, I
immediately thought, I’ve taught that character before — which is always a good sign
of truthful characterisation. From your facial expressions to your vocal choices and
your ability to command the space, this was a strong and committed performance
throughout.
Rebecca Foster as Gail also delivered a solid performance. You handled the
demands of multiple roles well, and with something as simple as a change of hat —
quite literally — you were able to transform completely into new characters in a
believable and engaging way. Your commitment to each role was clear to see.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this performance of Teechers. Despite a few minor
mishaps — including one little tumble off the side of the stage — the cast handled
everything professionally and kept the audience engaged throughout.
Thank you to All Saints Elton Theatre Company for inviting my guest and me to your
production. It was a pleasure to see your take on this much-loved play, and I look
forward to seeing what you bring to the stage next.

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