A NEW studio production opens at Ilkley Playhouse next week and it is a proper ‘Class’ act. Set in a primary classroom, mostly after hours with a parent-teacher meeting, this piece, Class, by Iseult Golden and David Horan - will resonate with everyone – in particular anyone who has ever been in a school!

The beautifully dressed set features tiny desks and chairs, display boards with lettering accurately rendered in comic sans (the font) and a heavily laden teacher’s desk. Behind this sits a teacher - it’s after hours and he still hasn’t had chance to eat his lunch – nothing unrealistic there.

The action starts when Jayden’s Dad, Brian, arrives to meet Mr McCafferty. He’s been called in to discuss why his son is falling behind at school. Brian doesn’t want the meeting to begin until his estranged wife, Donna is there too but it’s clear from the outset that this is not a comfortable place for Brian to be.

This play is for just three actors – the teacher, Mr McCafferty played by Robert Lane, and the parents played by Rick Hyland and Paula Boyle – all three giving wonderfully nuanced and sensitive performances. At times the parents become children and fully embody the personalities of their offspring and they do this really well. Both Rick and Paula seamlessly become eight-year-old versions of themselves. This is clever writing and as the plot unfolds it becomes increasingly obvious why Jayden might behave in a way that is concerning his teacher. No parent likes to receive news from school that is less than positive about their beloved offspring and even when that news is dressed up as offers of help and support, there is the potential for it to be taken as some kind of criticism. And thereby hangs the problem at the centre of this powerful drama.

Mr McCafferty is going above and beyond to support the pupils in his class – even to the point of overstepping his responsibilities and getting himself into trouble as a result. It is clear that those whom he is trying to help are not interested in his bleeding-heart intentions. With performances as powerful as this, it is very easy to have great sympathies with each: the father who is working hard to earn a living and pay rent on two houses whilst struggling with the torment of his failed marriage; the mother who is trying now to raise the children on her own and who clearly had a difficult time at school herself. And the teacher who wants so much to support the pupils in his care only to be faced with opposition and aggression from those who should be their child’s greatest champion.

This short, powerful play, directed with a deft hand by Paul Chewins, is one that will leave you thinking for a long while about the nature of families, schooling and the relationships we have these institutions. This play is, undoubtedly, one to see.

It runs at Ilkley Playhouse’s Wildman Theatre from May 13th to 18th and tickets can be purchased by calling 01943 609539 or on line @ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk