The last day of school can be sheer bliss for pupils, but a nightmare for teachers. That’s the premise of Discharge Productions’ latest offering, currently being performed early evenings at Bats Theatre – Discharge Goes Back To School.

Through a series of monologues, five women act out the roles of pupils and teachers on the last day of term.  Through each, we see the humour, trauma and angst of those leaving and what the school year has meant to them and the impact it has had on the staff. [More] 

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Another comedic outbreak of Discharge graces the BATS Propeller Stage until Saturday. While it predominantly involves solo monologues, there is cross-contagion in the story-lines, the cast of five intermingle quite often and their trademark broad characterisations and performance style remains.

The school bell instantly presses whatever emotional buttons reconnect us to our own high school experiences as the stage is festooned with students from Eastland Girls High. The scenes that emerge incorporate the cast’s own autobiographical stories. Six writers are credited (see above), with Abby Howells designated ‘head writer’.

The cast’s uniform is white blouse and grey skirt, and a spotted neck scarf is used to denote an adult character: initially the Principal – played by director Heidi Geissler – whose revered role model is Oprah Winfrey. Her ‘note to self’ could be: a little less ‘Acting’ could make this character more engaging.

It soon becomes apparent this is the last school day of 2015. The Principal’s succinct review of the year suggests a ‘could do much better’ report card overall, with much-valued participation winning out over actual achievement.

Home-schooled Hebe only comes to the school for PE. Abby Howell’s manifestation of her social awkwardness is all the more engaging for the way it makes us want to discover what her real wants and needs are.

Bri is the always-in-trouble brat, made all-too real by Harriet Hughes. While each of us may judge her in different ways, it would be a hard heart indeed which had no compassion for her by the end of the show. This day after opening night, Hebe and Bri are the characters who linger longest in my consciousness.

Josephine Byrnes triples impressively as the intimidating maths teacher (Mrs Jordan), the hyper-bright and always-friendly Head Girl (Gretta) and a circumspect girl called Philippa who comes to the aid of Geissler’s self-involved non-listener, Ellyn. Geissler’s third character, Rhonda, a desultory cleaner avid for gossip, is played with welcome minimalism.  

Alayne Dick’s super-keen sports nut and multi-nominated Jessie is not dissimilar, in energy, to Maggie (year 9), who wants to master Michael Jackson moves as a friend’s farewell gift. Her long-suffering receptionist, Karen, is well contrasted however.

Initially this wealth of characters come across as stereotypes but in some cases – more with the girls than the adults – we catch glimpses of hidden dimensions which, with some other good twists, add immeasurably to the interest and entertainment factor.

As light comedy with a twinge of pathos, most of us will relate to Discharge Goes Back to School as it plays out now. The comic style is what we have come to expect from this troupe; it is what it is. Is it fair, then, to expect – or should I say want – more from these undoubtedly talented people?

Having witnessed the potential present in Benedict Cumberbatch Must Die (June 2014), I cannot pretend I am not hoping for something more substantial from playwright Abby Howells at least, whether or not it’s a Discharge production. No pressure … 

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