Teechers

"Teechers" is a play by John Godber, written in 1987. It was first performed by the Hull Truck Theatre Company at the 1987 Edinburgh Festival starring Martin Barass as Salty, Gill Tompkins as Gail and Shirley Anne Selby as Hobby. It is a play within a play in which three students put on a performance to their teachers. Everything in the play is reduced to the bare essentials, with very little set and the three actors playing twenty other parts. However, Godber has said that it could also be performed with twenty different actors. Godber also specified the use of contemporary chart music to keep the play current.

ynopsis

Three school leavers, Salty, Hobby and Gail perform to the audience an account of their time at Whitewall High School, specifically their time with Mr. Nixon, the new drama teacher who ignites their passion for the stage with his idealism and belief that all children should be treated equally. The children mention that the names of the characters have been changed: Mr Nixon's real name is Mr Harrison, mentioned at the beginning. However, at the end of the play he leaves Whitewall High School to teach at St George's, another school with a much better reputation.

etting

Whitewall High School is in a "special priority area, which means it has its fair share of problems". Jeff Nixon is a socialist, and is determined to better the lot of his average kids. He is tempted, however, by the 'academic' atmosphere at the local 'good' school, and eventually leaves to teach at St. Georges, although not before making a major difference in the lives of the children. The play outlines many of the problems that new teachers encounter when beginning in the profession, such as a lack of respect, obtrusive support workers and a loss of idealism.

Characters in Teechers

*Ian "Salty" Salt - a school-leaver, bright and fresh-faced, rather dirty in appearance (also plays Teacher B, Jeff Nixon, Pete Saxon, Oggy Moxon, Derek Basford, Mr Hatton and Deanie)

*Lillian "Hobby" Hobson - Shy. Should be very large, must be bigger than the other two. She is doing the play despite herself (also plays Mrs Cordelia Parry, Ms Jones, Mr Basford, Ron, Simon "Piggy" Patterson, Oggy Moxon and Mrs Clifton)

*Gail Saunders - Loud mouthed and bossy, attractive and full of enthusiasm (also plays Teacher A, Ms Maureen Whitham, Oggy Moxon, Mr Basford, Miss Jackie Prime, Barry Wobschall, Dennis, Doug and Mrs Coates)

*Mr Harrison - the drama teacher, socialist and idealistic, called Mr Nixon in the play.

*Mrs Hudson - the headmistress, called Mrs Parry in the play.

Characters within Gail, Hobby and Salty's play

* Nixon - New drama teacher, young and casual

* Mrs Parry - The Head Mistress, large and loud, a real eccentric

* Mr Basford - The Deputy Head, a typical child hater, a nasty piece of work

* Miss Prime - Dolly bird of a PE mistress

* Ms Whitham - A fussy and hopeless teacher, desperate to leave

* Ms Jones - A moaner, rather fat, someone who wants to leave but no-one will employ her

* Deanie - A teacher who thinks all the kids love him, a bad dancer

* Doug - The caretaker, a miserable old man, he hates kids and drama

* Oggy - The cock of the school, looks much older than he actually is, the school bully in a modern age

* Pete Saxon - A large, frightening youth with tattoos, appears foolish

* Mr Fisher - Head of PE

* Barry Wobschall - A small boy who never brings his PE kit

* Simon "Piggy" Patterson - A boy who is always telling on others, he always runs to his lessons

* Ron - A boy who never does PE

* Mr Hatton - Helps with the youth club dance

* Dennis - Oggy's side-kick

* Mrs Coates - Head Mistress at Saint George's

* Mrs Clifton - Head of Governors at Saint George's

ources

*Character descriptions from the script itself.

* [http://www.teechers.co.uk/ Teechers homepage]