What’s it all about?
Inspired by Molly Davies’ experience as a teaching assistant, the witty playwright has crafted a satirical treat that transports you – quite literally thanks to Chloe Lamford’s transformative design – back to primary school as a group of spirited eight-year-olds start a revolution.
And what might seven angelic children have to rebel against you ask? A sanctimonious badger that’s who. This poster-boy for good behaviour has wheedled his way into their classroom thanks to an experimental new government educational scheme that uses patronising woodland-set fables to keep children on the straight and narrow. Stiflingly narrow in this case.
Who’s in it?
There are four acclaimed actors worth boasting about but we’ll get to them later. First up it’s important to mention the seven children are in fact children. With two casts alternating nightly, the talented youngsters give lively, joyful performances that leave you in danger of muscle strain due to the smile you’ll find plastered ridiculously on your face like a proud parent for the duration.
The central role of Che-Guevara-in-the-making Louis – performed by both a girl and a boy depending on which cast you see – was played by Bobby Smalldridge on the performance I attended. Declaring himself King Louis and leading the revolution with terrifying control, Smalldridge has withering looks down to a tee, winning both your hearts and alliance with his brilliantly hilarious and, at times, chillingly sinister performance.
The adults earn gold stars too, with Nikki Amuka-Bird as an infuriating head too distracted by the promise of funding to listen to Ony Uhiara’s concerns as 4N’s struggling teacher, the first to fall in the classroom coup. There’s also Julie Hesmondhalgh as the endearing concerned TA Mrs Bradley and Amanda Abbington as the creator of the Badger Do Best system, the educational guru – in her eyes at least – Sali Raynor. Bringing a chill to the room with every smug look, she is a calculating, ruthlessly ambitious villain Roald Dahl himself could have dreamt up; the threat of pupil referral units her very own version of the chokey.
What should I look out for?
The mix of excitement and back to school nerves as you walk into the transformed Jerwood Theatre Upstairs and discover a fully working primary school classroom, complete with posters on tessellation and Tudors, that unflatteringly and unforgiving fluorescent strip lighting schools love so much, book bags hung on pegs with name stickers, and chairs of miniature proportions.
In a nutshell?
Never underestimate an eight-year-old in a fight against a sanctimonious badger.
What’s being said on Twitter?
@ChrisWiegand Coming out of @royalcourt was great to see the young stars of God Bless the Child picked up by their parents. They did you proud!
@hollyrweston If you see anything this month see God Bless The Child @royalcourt by Molly Davies.Thought-provoking,funny & heart-warming.Well done Molly!
Will I like it?
This is a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in the government’s controversial educational dabblings. You’ll find yourself squirming at the A* earning displays of passive aggression and Louis’ industrious imagination in equal measures in Vicky Featherstone’s rapturous production.
God Bless The Child is playing until 20 December. You can book tickets through the Royal Court Theatre’s website.