Stumbling onto the opening bedroom setting, Emma holds a bottle of wine whilst Simon carries a blue WKD with a bendy straw. It’s this attention to detail that makes Teach Me so successful, as the audience is instantly aware of the maturity gap between the play’s two characters. From his enthusiastic use of hair gel to his SpongeBob socks, the character of Simon, played by Andy Peppiette, is expertly devised to convey his teenage gawkiness without resorting to obvious clichés. Amy Drummond’s Emma sports a conservative office look that clashes with her inability to conform to expectations of settling down and starting a family, exacerbated by her sister’s imminent wedding. Emma is swayed by Simon’s innocence, giving her an outlet from the pressure that she feels as a woman in her late twenties. As they get to know each other, the impossibility of their relationship is blurred and, through monologues and cleverly presented Facebook chat conversations, it becomes clear that what happened between them was more than just a one-night stand.
Written by Alan Gordon, Teach Me focuses on current dilemmas about sex, brilliantly incorporating cultural references and the concerns surrounding modern relationships that resonate with the audience. Peppiette and Drummond are faultless, skilfully delivering the plentiful witticisms, whilst mastering the poignancy of their characters’ complexities. Entertaining but educated, Teach Me is the perfect balance between a morality play and a romantic comedy.