The John Godber Company returns to Blackpool Grand Theatre with Modern Classic, Teechers.
John Godber, one of the UK’s most-performed living playwrights, revisits his classic school comedy with a newly updated 2026 tour. Returning to Blackpool Grand Theatre this March, Teechers is sharper, fresher and more relevant than ever.
The John Godber Company returns to Blackpool Grand Theatre with Modern Classic, Teechers.
John Godber, one of the UK’s most-performed living playwrights, revisits his classic school comedy with a newly updated 2026 tour. Returning to Blackpool Grand Theatre this March, Teechers is sharper, fresher and more relevant than ever.
Reset for post-Covid Britain, Teechers remains as urgent, provocative and entertaining as ever. Set on the last day of term, three students – Salty, Gail and Hobby – use their BTEC Performing Arts exam to tell the story of life at Whitewall Academy. With nothing more than their imagination, they transform into teachers, caretakers and classmates, recreating the chaos, comedy and contradictions of the education system around them.
What unfolds is a fast-moving, joyful yet biting portrait of aspiration, inequality and the transformative power of the arts in education. Central to the story is Miss Nixon, the inspirational drama teacher who changed their lives – but as the students leave state education behind, it becomes clear that Miss Nixon may be moving on too…to the local private school.
Written by John Godber and directed by Jane Thornton, this latest revival brings fresh energy to a beloved classic, featuring Yorkshire actors Jo Patmore, Levi Payne and Sophie Suddaby. The production continues Godber’s long tradition of actor-driven, multi-role storytelling, a style that has become a hallmark of his work and a favourite with audiences across the UK.
Speaking about revisiting Teechers for a 2026 tour, John Godber said:
“Drama, art and music in schools generally have a lower status now than when I went into teaching in 1978. Having trained as a drama specialist teacher, I still believe the arts are central to the development of young people, no matter their background.”
Godber notes that while Teechers has always reflected the pressures faced by teachers and students, those pressures have intensified in recent years:
“The level of burnout teachers are experiencing now is higher than it has ever been. That reality made this the right moment to revisit the play and make it feel relevant for today’s audiences.”
Renowned for its imaginative use of just three performers to create an entire school community, Teechers remains a masterclass in theatrical storytelling:
“At its best, multi-role playing is purely theatrical and invites the audience into a playful contract with the actors,” says Godber. “It looks easy, but it’s an exquisite skill.”
First staged nearly forty years ago, Teechers continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, from students and teachers to parents and former pupils alike, asking timely questions about fairness, opportunity and the value society places on education and creativity.
Critics agree that Teechers has lost none of its bite:
“10 out of 10.” – The Times
“Joyous, energetic and bitter about educational inequalities.” – The Guardian
“Edgy, observational, funny, political and hard-hitting.” – The British Theatre Guide
A touring theatre favourite, Teechers at Blackpool Grand Theatre offers audiences the chance to experience a bold, funny and unflinching look at education in Britain – as relevant now as when it was first written.
Recommended for ages 12+.
Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.
LISTINGS
Teechers – Fri 20 and Sat 21 March 2026 at 7.30pm
Sat matinee at 2.30pm
Grand Theatre Studio, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT
Box Office 01253 290 190
blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Facebook – @blackpoolgrand
Twitter – @Grand_Theatre
Instagram – grandtheatrebpl
