What I did at school today

This was an excellent choice of play, by I would suggest a little known author John Mee, but it had all the comedy ingredients, set in the staffroom of a junior school following their recent school inspection. With apologies to the best of the teaching profession, the set had everything you might imagine in an untidy school staffroom, with a scheming Head and female staff who were either lazy, disgruntled or disinterested. Even the hamster had been poorly cared for!

The Headmaster ‘Clive Beasley’ played well by Chris Hall kept the action moving, as he contrived to raise school funds whilst improving his CV. ‘Mrs Jubb’ his long suffering secretary played by Pauline Boyce,  delivered some delicious lines well, whilst the caretaker ‘Maxine’ played by Kate Joels, berated both students and staff with equal relish.

The female staff portrayed a range of characters well; from Tracey Venables conscientious and likeable ‘Kate Faraday’, to Kerry Horne’s ‘Jenny Peasgood’ who tipped for promotion had a complete fear of teaching.  Jacci Phillips gave a convincing performance as ‘Liz Nicholas’ with more of an eye for the new supply teacher, than teaching itself and Leigh Surtees demonstrated total indifference to teaching as ‘Pat Lowther’, who announced volunteering for the Samaritans was a great deal more exciting.

Into the action arrives a new Supply Teacher ‘Dan Thomson’ played by Steve Willis, as scenes unravel with an old university flame ‘Kate’, the romantic advances of ‘Liz’ and confusion over sexual orientation with the Head and misunderstood advances to ‘Jenny’, all played out solidly and convincingly.

The cast was completed with great support from Tina Dyble (‘Emma’) and Ruth Hammond (‘Holly’) as the mischievous students, parents ‘Mr and Mrs Smedley-Allen’ played by Simon Billington and Clare Marsh, together with ‘Councillor Tate’ played by Tony Checketts.

Lighting and sound added to the atmosphere and the shortage of space side-stage will have impeded the speed of some entrances, but this was a well directed piece by Christopher Marsh and the whole company should be pleased with the result.

Bruce Wyatt (Representative District10) 

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