Cast announced for UK tour of John Godber’s Teechers Leavers ’22

Casting has been announced for the UK tour of Teechers Leavers ’22.

The classic play by John Godber has been updated to reflect the challenges of students today.

Presented by Blackeyed Theatre, the new production will open at the Wilde Theatre, Bracknell on Wednesday, 25 January 2023 and runs until Thursday, 25 May 2023 at the Albany Theatre, Coventry.

Directed by Adrian McDougall, Teechers Leavers ’22 will star Ciara Morris (The Play That Goes Wrong, Beast Quest) as Gail, Michael Ayiotis (The Sun, The Mountain and Me) as Salty and Terenia Barlow (Bridgerton) as Hobby.

Teechers Leavers ’22 is a hilarious, high-energy, full-blooded comedy that brings to life an array of terrifying teachers and hopeless pupils through the eyes of Salty, Gail, and Hobby; three Year 11 students facing a scary world with only their imagination and a love of theatre.

It’s 2022 at Whitewall, a struggling academy that’s failed its Ofsted. The bell’s gone and they can’t afford a new one. The first fifteen have lost sixty-seven nil and it’s not just the playing field that needs levelling up. Sadly, Whitewall’s led by donkeys. So’s Whitehall, come to that. Enter Miss Nixon, a new drama teacher with fire in her belly, a lesson for the elite and a well ‘sick’ Tik Tok!

Will Miss Nixon abandon her students in favour of a tranquil private school? Who puts the bounce in PE teacher Miss Prime? Will Mrs. Parry ever track down her Koko? And why does everyone smell like spring onions?

John Godber, writer said: “This refashioned version of Teechers Leavers ’22 tries to take into account the embattled nature of state education during and post Covid 19. It still retains its comic elements, but I think the play is stronger, if darker, as it describes a school system which pushes arts subjects to the fringes.

“I had thought that social divisions might have grown closer in the thirty odd years since I first wrote the play: unfortunately, from what I hear and see, the divisions are wider and the marginalisation of drama in the curriculum in state education is still advancing strongly. I’m very excited that Blackeyed Theatre Company will have the opportunity to present this highly physical depiction of state education in their new production.”

Adrian McDougall, director added: “This will be our fourth national tour of Teechers, which tells you all you need to know about our love for the play. I come from a family of teachers and had precious little opportunity to do drama at school, so the play has always resonated with me. It’s scathing in its attack on a flawed, two-tier education system but at the same time inspiring in its celebration of the power of imagination and creativity.

“And what John’s done with this updated version of the script is just brilliant. It’s weightier without losing its comic irreverence. Together with our brilliant cast and artistic team, we’ll try our best to do it justice!”

The creative team includes assistant direction by Martha Godber, choreography by Scott Jenkins, set design by Victoria Spearing, costume design by Naomi Gibbs, lighting design by Alan Valentine and fight direction by Ronin Traynor.

For full tour dates and tickets, visit blackeyedtheatre.co.uk