Special Measures (Royal Court, Liverpool)

For writer Mark Davies Markham, Special Measures is a play very close to his heart. A former teacher himself, he was thrilled when asked by chief executive of the Royal Court Liverpool, Kevin Fearon, to write a State of the Nation type comedy.

A play set in a school seemed the perfect location, particularly considering how teachers and pupils are currently feeling the heat.

The school in question is St Jude's primary in Netherton, or Dodge City as it is lovingly known, where Ed the Head Teacher (Michael Starke) is trying to keep his staff together; a mixed bunch of hard working, seen it all before veterans, who do their very best day in day out to teach and support the kids.

But Ofsted has judged it as failing and consequently the school has been put into "Special Measures". On top of this, Tory MP Thomas Winters (Colin Hoult) with his new intern Holly (Jessica Guise) is looking for a photo opportunity and heads straight for St Jude's where, tempers already flayed, things take a turn for the worse. Nobody is safe as Thomas goes straight for Grace (Eithne Brown) who, as the oldest member of the staff, is put into a difficult position.

A strong and confident cast which lead to solid performances all round. Hoult's Tory MP Thomas makes a particular impression on the audience with his over the top and utterly despicable manner and language. He plays him with just enough conceit and smarminess that make the themes of the play more striking.

Starke's Ed the Head offers light relief beside Thomas and there is an enjoyable performance from Angela Sims who plays the feisty single mum Cher.

This is a very timely – totally on the ball – written with very strong themes and feelings and at times it feels as if the writing takes the performance element.

Important issues are raised, but it feels at points as though we were going over the same ground, and perhaps more light relief is needed to balance it out.

But this is far from a ranting play; it's relevant, familiar to anyone who has stepped foot into a school, and the performances keep the piece on solid ground.

Special Measures is at the Royal Court Liverpool until 3 May.

– Janie Phillips