Teechers - the Garrick's best comedy of the year (From Messenger Newspapers)

Teechers - the Garrick's best comedy of the year

9:54am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News

ALTRINCHAM Garrick’s production of Teechers is so good it wouldn’t be out of place on a professional stage.

What’s more, it made me look again at a piece I’d previously dismissed as not being vintage John Godber, and I left the theatre in no doubt that this is an exceptional piece of work.

Yes, there are plenty of laughs as unruly pupils torment their teachers and experience the growing pains most of us endured and can now laugh at.

But the play has a lot to say about the failings of the education system - for the privileged kids it is a land of opportunity. For many, it’s a holding centre for young people who have already been written off by a society who doesn’t know what to do with them. Hence Salty’s strangely moving speech near the end of the play.

Worry not - despite this comedy’s more serious strands you never, at any point, feel like you’re being preached to.

In terms of the direction, Stephanie Niland has got everything just right and she more than gets the best out of Barry Spencer, Ros Greenwood and Laura Chandler. As well as playing pupils Salty, Gail and Hobby, they play numerous other roles, displaying a versatility that can only be described as astounding.

How frustrating then, to see the theatre half full on Tuesday night. Productions of this quality deserve full houses. * Until September 22. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - *****