Rowan Atkinson plays the title role in Richard Eyre’s revival of Simon Gray’s Quartermaine’s Terms.

Set in the 1960s in an English language school for foreigners, Gray’s tragicomedy is a humorous but ultimately moving account of several years in the lives of seven teachers.

At the heart of the group is the kind, pleasant and agreeable St John Quartermaine (Atkinson) who is utterly hopeless as a teacher. An almost permanent feature in the staff room, he’s always available to listen to the problems of his self-obsessed colleagues. But when a new principal is appointed, Quartermaine’s future looks precarious.

Best known for his on-screen roles in Mr Bean, Not The Nine O’ Clock News, Johnny English, The Witches and Four Weddings And A Funeral, Atkinson most recently appeared on stage as Fagin in the musical Oliver!. Quartermaine’s Terms marks his first appearance in a play for almost 25 years.

Former Artistic Director of the National Theatre, Eyre’s productions include Guys And Dolls, The Beggar’s Opera, Hamlet, Racing Demon, Richard III, King Lear and The Invention Of Love at the venue, A Flea In Her Ear at the Old Vic and The Last Of The Duchess at the Hampstead theatre.

Quartermaine’s Terms is designed by two time Olivier Award-winner Tim Hatley.