Mark Ravenhill returns to the Royal Court with The Cane, a dark tale of a retired teacher starring Alun Armstrong, Maggie Steed and Nicola Walker.

“It will be the biggest send off any teacher has ever had. No teacher is as loved.” The Cane centres on Edward. After 45 years as a dedicated teacher, he is looking forward to the imminent celebration to mark his retirement.

But Edward’s home is under siege by a mob of angry students. A brick has been thrown through the window, he and his wife haven’t left the house for six days, and now his estranged daughter has arrived with her own questions.

Armstrong is best known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and originating the role of Thénardier in the London production of Les Misérables, while Steed recently starred in Pinter One at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Walker was recently seen in TV series Unforgotten and The Split.

Directed by Vicky Featherstone, The Cane is another surefire hit for Ravenhill at the Royal Court, following in the success of Over There (& Schaubühne, Berlin), Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat and Shopping And F***ing.