Settling down in my seat in the intimate setting of the Above the Stag studio, it was exciting to see how a play covering nearly two decades of gay history by way of a classroom would pull it off. Brushing over eighteen years in the life of a South London comprehensive, the play presents theatrical snapshots from a range of years sown together with the thread of Michael’s life, from being a student in the eighties to teacher in the early naughties.
Glittered throughout are tender moments of flirtation, family and loss with a real emphasis on the bonds made later in life. In a surprising moment of emotional vulnerability, Stephanie Wilson as Michael’s mother seeking forgiveness, only to be rejected, left a lasting impression. She manages to portray the scene’s emotional complexities despite its cumbersome dialogue. Another is Florence Odumosu playing a schoolgirl being reprimanded for calling one of her fellow students a ‘pussy hole’. Aggressive yet playful, it’s a delight seeing her play the mischievous teenager. It came as a breath of fresh air in a production buckling under the weight of the issues it was dealing with. Trying to shoe-horn twenty years of gay history into a 75 minute production is a feat no piece of theatre could hope to achieve, so some credit is due to this production’s ambitions.
The piece was successful in shedding a light on the real-life, everyday change and disruption brought about by Section 28, and the play could be a very useful tool through which pupils could be taught its history. The legislation was skilfully worked into the dialogue with real intention to inform its audience. The school setting was perfect for translating the issue from being political to personal, and perhaps a real classroom would be a better fit.
Ending with all loose ends tied in a meticulously tidy knot and a collective “Cheers”, you leave the studio having been schooled on the issue of Section 28, though not the precursory issue of the AIDS crisis that was sidestepped. Next Lesson has a mission to educate its audience, and this production teaches with all the gusto of a 23-year-old fresh from her PGC.
Next Lesson is playing until the 16th of September at Above the Stag, 75 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall SE1 7TP. Head over to abovethestag.com for tickets.
