This April the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool will be producing a brand new comedy from the writer of Eric’s, Taboo and The Liverpool Nativity – Mark Davies Markham.
Special Measures is set in an ordinary Primary School in Netherton which has just suffered an Ofsted inspection. The inspectors deemed them a failing school and have put them into Special Measures.
A showboating Tory M.P. arrives for a photo opportunity at the school and starts picking holes in the staff. It all becomes too much and it’s time for the hardworking teachers to strike back!
The show stars Paul Broughton, Eithne Browne, Stephen Fletcher, Jessica Guise, Colin Hoult, Adam Search, Angela Simms and Michael Starke with Ken Alexander directing.
The show is a comedy with a political point and Mark Davies Markham draws on his experience as a Special Needs Teacher. No punches are pulled and the Tory minister has to answer for all of the policies that his government has put in place. The laughs come thick and fast, backed by a cracking Northern Soul soundtrack.
Mark Davies Markham is glad to be back in Liverpool: “It’s a comedy with a political bent which I’ve really enjoyed writing, and massively enjoyed working with the great Liverpool Royal Court team. I’ve known Kevin for over thirty years but this is the first time we’ve worked together. I really admire what he’s done here and I love the feel of the theatre.”
Kevin Fearon, producer and Chief Executive of Royal Court Liverpool, is delighted to be producing the show: “Mark is an incredibly talented writer and I was delighted when he agreed to write a play for here. The show hits the Tories really hard and I think that the audiences will relate to the humour in the show, which can be quite shocking at times. This is a comedy that tells it how it is and makes some serious points in amongst the jokes.”
Special Measures runs at Royal Court Liverpool from Friday 4th April to Saturday 3rd May 2014 and tickets are available from £12. Tickets and information are available from 0870 787 1866 or royalcourtliverpool.com.