IT is over 18 years since John Godber wrote this play but surprisingly it seems, nothing much has changed in education since then, because it was still fresh and relevant.

A lot of young people in the audience found it very funny, but from my standpoint, as someone long-removed from school days, it wasn't rib-achingly hilarious, more quietly amusing with smiles of remembered recognition.

Three actors played many different parts, both teachers and pupils at Whitewall School, and I am full of admiration for their performances. Matthew Booth, best known as Paul Marsden in TV's Emmerdale, was school kid Salty as well as Mr Nixon, a newly-qualified drama teacher, with high ideals.

Vicky Binns and Jennifer Ness, best known as Ollie Reynolds in Emmerdale and Kris Yates in Bad Girls respectively, played pupils Gail and Hobby as well as many other parts. These included a well-meaning, but Mikado mad headmistress, an all-powerful, bullying hypocrite deputy, pretty games mistress and bad boy of the school year, who rules the school, teachers and pupils alike, which was particularly enjoyed by the audience.

Despite the laughs, the play made some hard-hitting points. The kids at this particular school - on a crummy estate - were disadvantaged, and no-one seemed to care what would become of them; the teachers were desperate to get out and work at nearby St George's Grammar School and certainly would not send their own kids to Whitewall. Things don't change!

LM