Review: EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION, Shoreditch Town Hall

Every now and then you see a piece of theatre that lights a fire under you. A play that is so brilliant, it shows how special performance can be. Something so meticulously precise and genuinely unique. Education, Education, Education is that show. Riding high from their sensational run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Wardrobe Ensemble arrive at Shoreditch Town Hall for a limited run.

What makes this show so fantastic? To be honest, lot's of things; every part of its conception is so well thought out. Nothing is ever used flippantly and the entire hour-long performance is a pure highlight. It's 1997; a new election has taken place. Tony Blair is now the Prime Minister and the UK is in a state of national pride.

Or at least that's how it looks from the outside to German language assistant Tobias. Narrating part of the story to the audience, he tells of his love for Britain's music, politics and general state of being. However, what he learns whilst at Wordsworth Comprehensive is that the reality inside isn't so squeaky clean.

The story follows Year 11's final day before they embark on study leave. Colloquially referred to as "Muck Day", it's a chance for the teens to mess everything up. Absolute carnage unfolds; there's graffiti, sit ins and complete chaos everywhere.

However, this play is more than just a reckless coming of age tale. It's a poignant insight into the nineties way of growing up - the hopes everyone feels for a better life. But hope can only get you so far, and reality quickly kicks in. Budgets are put in place, pressure sets in and there's a clear expectation to conform.

The entire company shines throughout. The company's devised choreography is close to perfect. Everything fits into place; set pieces are manoeuvred with ease and nostalgic tunes play, generating an enormous energy from the stage. The cast trust their impulses, instinctively reacting to every little thing. It's sensational to watch; one of those moments of pure genius.

There's no surprise as to why this play was a hit back in August. Despite it being set 20 years ago it feels definitely timely to today's social climate. As James Newton's Tobias says, funding is constantly being cut, expectation is too much and the faith we have in our students is diminishing.

Education, Education, Education at Shoreditch Town Hall until 21 April

Photo courtesy of Wardrobe Ensemble

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