Teechers Leavers ’22 At Lichfield Garrick Theatre Review

Reviewed by Liz Squires

This time my visit to the Lichfield Garrick Theatre was to see the hilarious Teechers Leavers ’22. The original play was written in 1980 and John Godber never once imagined that the adversities educators and children have to endure across the country would be as prevalent now in 2023 as they were in the 80’s.

The play follows a cast of three year 11 pupils Hobbs (Terenia Barlow) Salty (Michael Ayiotis) and Gail (Ciara Morris) on their mission to make Drama a core subject. Growing up in a deprived area, during the pandemic, these kids struggled and so, it seems, did their new Drama teacher Miss Nixon. Miss Nixon is distraught to realise that Drama isn’t considered important and wants to stand against the tyranny of the government and the unfairness of the education system. The ever-increasing gap between the wealthy and the poor is her motivation and working at Whitewall is (as she sees it) her only opportunity to do that. Afterall Britain gave the world Shakespeare so why wouldn’t Drama be a core subject!

The cast use an incredible level of imagination and ingenuity to portray many different characters seen in and around school. These include the ever grumbling premises officer Douglas the strict Doctor who will only teach in silence, the fluffy and smug P.E teacher, the school clown and the school bully and everyone in between. Each character is uniquely depicted in an expressive and jocular way. Each actor played their roles impeccably and if you are in fact a teacher you can’t not identify with each one of these roles and their place within a school and the emotion, they invoke within you.

There were sincere moments when the genuine impact teachers have on their students was illustrated beautifully, pushing those children to reduce comparisons and find belief in themselves and there were moments of genuine dispirit when the children find out truths about their teachers.

The set was minimalistic but enjoyable, and the scenic artist (Victoria Spearing) and lighting designer (Alan Valentine) managed to create a comical, engaging and even at one point sorrow filled set that was thought provoking and simplistic. The whole thing was well directed and well-choreographed.

The play in general was jam packed with entertainment, lots of dancing, one liner jokes, jokes only teachers would appreciate and much, much more. And I must say the PIPES on Terenia Barlow were just outstanding!

The Lichfield Garrick Theatre is an intimate venue that oozes warmth and a welcoming atmosphere. Both my son and my husband commented on how lovely and welcoming all the staff were, every member of the team was there to help no matter how big or small the request. I usually judge a venue based on cleanliness, helpfulness of staff and accessibility but most of all how expensive their tiny tubs of ice cream are. The Lichfield Garrick Theatre so far is top of my list for venues with a tub of ice cream only costing around £2.25, whereas, other venues charge double that.

As always the Lichfield Garrick was a pleasure to visit, we started the evening with a slight misunderstanding regarding tickets (the error was entirely mine), but it wasn’t any trouble to rectify, which of course was dealt with quickly and without any issues. The staff at the Garrick are always incredibly helpful and polite.

The theatre is incredibly easy to access with a multi storey car park on Birmingham Road WS13 6FA road (height restricted to 1.9m) that is free of charge after 6.30 PM, and the train station only a few 100 yards down the road, making it one of the most accessible and cheapest venues I have attended to date.

Rated: 5/5

Teechers Leavers ’22 is at the
Lichfield Garrick Theatre,
Castle Dyke, Lichfield,
WS13 6HR

From 21st March – 22nd March 2023
Tickets costing from £22 and can be obtained here: Teechers (Leavers ’22) (lichfieldgarrick.com)
Tour Dates and other venues can be accessed here: Teechers Live Tour 2023 – Blackeyed Theatre