When Teechers Leavers ’22 opened with an energetic dance routine to the club hit ‘I’m Blue (Da Ba Dee)’ by Eiffel 65, we weren’t expecting to have tears in our eyes by the end of the night! It is the seemingly effortless mix of comedy, charm, and poignance that makes this show a must-see.

John Godber originally wrote Teechers back in the 1980s, and Leevers ’22 is a fresh update on the original play that takes into account the angst and political stance of the original, but mixes in the Covid pandemic, Zoom lessons, and lockdown weariness faced by the students of today. Director and Producer Adrian McDougall, assisted by Assistant Director Martha Godber, do a brilliant job of bringing it into the modern post-Covid setting, with a soundtrack of viral Tik Tok hits and sly jabs at ‘Partygate’.

Still set in the corridors of local comprehensive Whitewall Academy, the play-within-a-play focuses on three Year 11 students who are showcasing their BTec Drama play, originally put together on Zoom, and are performing it in front of an audience for the first time. Therefore, actors Michael Ayiotis (Salty), Terenia Barlow (Hobby) and Ciara Morris (Gail) play not just their own characters, but deftly switch between an assortment of other roles including other students and an array of stereotypical teachers, including the timid RE teacher Ms Whitton and the domineering maths teacher Mr Basford.

Terenia Barlow confidently plays the role of Hobby, arguably the least motivated of the students, and also Miss Nixon, the new Drama teacher who takes it upon herself to truly inspire the bored and wholly disinterested pupils and give them some hope that they can do equally as well as the rich children who attend the nearby Private School St. George’s, whilst being equally tempted by the prospect of a new job at St. George’s, complete with a state-of-the-art theatre. Ciara Morris shines as Gail, and a host of other characters, including a surprising turn as school bully Oggy Moxon, and the rather outrageous PE teacher Jackie Prime. Her comedic timing is spot-on and her realistically sassy portrayal of Gail put us in mind of several girls we’ve met in real life. Meanwhile, Michael Ayiotis is charming as Salty, a well-meaning student, resigned to doing his homework on his phone, with no laptop at home. A definite highlight of the show is Ayiotis’ portrayal of Headmistress Mrs Parry, an eccentric and flamboyant lady with an Essex accent and a fixation on the school’s public production of The Mikado (but very little interest in the actual Drama lessons!).

The cast work exceptionally well as a team, switching easily between serious heartfelt moments to amusing banter and Tik Tok dance routines. Scott Jenkins’ choreography is a joy to behold, and we find ourselves eagerly looking forward to each dance number, of which there are quite a few. The stripped back set design allows the three leads to really showcase their talents. The trio’s tight-knit synchronicity is impressive to watch, with the cheeky comedic moments from Terenia Barlow’s Hobby proving a definite highlight.

The beauty of the show is that it is so relatable, and we expect that everyone in the audience – no matter how old, or young – could identify with at least one aspect of the play, taking them back to their school days. From a bewildering timetable that made us shudder, to a never-ending maze of bizarrely named buildings, and hunchbacked Year 7s carrying backpacks twice their size. There’s a school disco scene that makes us cringe and rejoice in equal measures, bringing back fond memories of sticky floors and teachers dad-dancing around the dancefloor to out-of-date pop songs. All of this goes to show that, maybe, not much has changed since the original play’s debut in 1987.

Godber’s message is as pertinent as ever, and Teechers Leavers ’22 remains a social commentary on the state of the education system and its biased towards the privilege, the divide in standards between the ‘haves’ at private schools and the ‘have-nots’, and also pushes for the arts to form an essential part of the school curriculum, and be viewed as fundamental on a wider, political platform.

In an emotional outburst, Ayiotis’ Salty asks the headteacher why he can’t take drama, music and art. Why is he forced to choose just one? Why aren’t they considered core subjects, in the same way that mathematics and science are? It really strikes a chord with us. We’re obviously BIG theatre fans here at West End Best Friend, and we know that Salty and co. are not alone in their frustration that creative subjects like drama and art aren’t always given the same gravitas as other subjects. Especially for those of us who are neurodiverse in some way, the scene is a stark reminder that the state school system doesn’t seem to take everyone’s abilities into account, not always recognising that not everyone is suited to all subjects.

The show is a love letter to the “less academic” kids, those who don’t excel at the standard curriculum, and those who don’t attend expensive schools with professional theatres and Olympic sized swimming pools. It is a recognition of kids who want to do well but are stuck behind barriers they don’t know how to overcome.

It may sound bleak, but the production is anything but! Teechers Leavers ’22 is a brilliantly crafted show, full of comedy, charisma and heart. We’d give it an A*, Besties!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Kirstie Ewer

Teechers Leavers ’22 plays at Lichfield Garrick until 22 March, before continuing its UK tour. Further information can be found here.