WOS TV: Up Close With … School of Comedy

When Laura Lawson, a teacher at The Harrodian – a private school in London – decided to take her drama group to the Edinburgh Fringe, expectations were low. Within weeks School Of Comedy with its unique brand of ‘comedy by kids for adults’, was snapped up for a television series by Channel 4, swiftly becoming a cult hit. But it hasn’t all been as easy: persuading parents and a traditionalist headmaster that kids devising expletive-filled sketches would be mind-expanding, was a challenge.

Although many are still in full-time education, the young actors have continued performing professionally with one of the bunch – Will Poulter – securing roles in the films Son of Rambow and The Chronicles of Narnia. In advance of their return to the Festival, I meet Poulter and fellow performer Beth Rylance in London, with Lawson arriving later on.

School of Comedy is running at Pleasance Courtyard, 18-29 August at 13.40