REVIEW: “Next Lesson” at Theatre Above The Stag, Vauxhall

At the Conservative Party Conference of 1987 Margaret Thatcher announced in a tone of chilly outrage that the children of Britain were being taught that they have “an inalienable right to be gay”. Since that right is, indeed, inalienable you might have been forgiven for wondering what the fuss was about. Children were also being taught that the world is spherical. But the 1980s were strange and many people seemed to share her paranoia that some sinister indoctrination was underway. Helped by a typically opportunistic press campaign bigoted paranoia won out over empathy and intelligence. Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act was the result.

CHRIS WOODLEY’s play opens with the key moments from the speech in question being performed by STEPHANIE WILLSON with her back to the audience. In a moment of horror that might have kept Dr. Freud busy for months she then turns into the mother of the main character, Michael. They are waiting to see Michael’s headmaster to discuss the teenager’s recent truancy and Michael chooses this moment to tell her that he is gay. Mum is only slightly more understanding than Margaret Thatcher might have been.

It is a short scene but it paints a stark portrait of what it was like to be a gay teenager in 1987. Of the reaction you could expect. It also demonstrates this play’s skill at fast, truthful accuracy. Characters are established quickly and vividly. This is just as well because a lot of characters appear over the 75 minute running time. Perhaps too many.

Next Lesson dips in and out of Michael’s life over the next thirty years. He returns to his old school as a teacher, by which time Section 28 is firmly in place. As a piece of legislation it was as maddening in its vagueness as it was spiteful in its intent. Those who had to enforce or abide by it had no clear idea of what it really meant in practice. A manufactured moral panic caused everyday panic of a different kind. Just don’t mention same-sex love and relationships under any circumstances is what it tended to boil down to. Don’t come out. Don’t study texts by lesbian or gay writers. Never show understanding in case you are judged to be promoting a ‘pretended family relationship’. Whatever the hell that may be.

What Woodley makes plain is its emotional and professional impact on teachers of every persuasion, and he does it with great subtlety and insight. The effect on pupils is less evident, which came as a surprise. What is refreshing is that lesbians are not left out of the story as is so often the case. The writer has a keen ear for naturalistic and authentic dialogue in all walks of life.

The play gallops on through the years. Michael’s life (personal and professional) begins to flourish. That seemingly endless Tory rule is halted by a Labour landslide. But his world is shattered by history once again. A single event in 1999 demonstrates where prejudice and ignorance can ultimately lead. The ugly flower seeded by Section 28 threatens to break Michael before the new Government has even removed the damn thing from the statute books.

By 2006 when the play’s final scene is set there is a feeling of hope. It is tinged with caution however. Sure, S28 has been repealed and equal rights may be just around the corner but history has shown that such progress is fragile and can be thrown into reverse. The vindictiveness of Section 28, the tragedies that arose from it, they are not forgotten. They never can be.

There are a couple of scenes in Next Lesson which could be shed without affecting the play. They concern characters who do not appear anywhere else. All they have in common with the rest of the play is that they are well written and skilfully acted. Director ANDREW BECKETT has assembled a cast who revel in their own versatility.

SAM GOODCHILD is unique among them in playing only one character. His introverted teenage Andrew travels a long way to become the wise teacher we see by the end of the play and Goodchild makes him accurate and appealing at every stage.

DANIEL FORRESTER and SAMUEL LAWRENCE play an impressive selection of schoolboys and teachers, making each one completely different and distinctive. Forrester is hot on comedy while Lawrence mostly plays more thoughtful characters, notably Michael’s shy and lovely partner Alex.

As well as mum Gail, Stephanie Willson is cast as a succession of allies and enemies with equal adaptability and truth. FLORENCE ODUMOSU brings unexpected warmth to a narrow minded head of department and creates two memorable lesbian characters. Her gobby, inspiring schoolgirl Chloe is a comic highlight while hesitant teacher Jen conveys all too well how needlessly hard Section 28 made it for teachers to be fully themselves. Things work out well for Jen and the difference in the character by the end of the play is a joy to see. It is also a mark of Odumosu’s talent.

Stage design for this production has also been undertaken by Andrew Beckett. Utilitarian school furniture, a blackboard used (along with bursts of relevant pop hits) to convey the year in which each scene is set. All of this is framed by overlapping squares and rectangles in different coloured tape. These evoke the floors of countless school gymns and poignantly they do not quite make a rainbow. But they are getting there.

This is such a strong and timely play to see on my first visit to Above The Stag’s new home by Vauxhall Cross. I first visited this indomitable theatre when it really was above The Stag and have followed it on its enforced wanderings. This is the smartest and most comfortable venue by far. Nestled in railway arches as it is, trains to and from Waterloo are always going to make their presence known. Good directors will take this into account. This is the company’s home that feels the most like an actual theatre and I wish it every success for a long, innovative and above all queer future.

Written by: Chris Woodley

Directed by: Andrew Beckett

Cast:
Daniel Forrester (Dave/Jacob/Kirk/Steve)

Sam Goodchild (Michael)

Samuel Lawrence (Chris/Alex/Tom/Simon)

Florence Odumosu (Val/Chloe/Jen)

Stephanie Willson (Gail/Kelly/Mel/Sam)