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THE UPSETTERS present

Dismissed

By Daniel Rusteau Tue 16 May – Sat 3 Jun 23 75 minutes
The Upcoming
Voice Mag
Playhouse Pickings
Theatre Bee
New Writing Theatre
Soho Upstairs – Dean Street Age Recommendation: 16+ Running time: 75 minutes
Idealistic Ashley is in her second year of teaching at one of the lowest ranked secondary schools in London.

When she reports her favourite student brought a hunting knife onto school premises, she’s stunned by the sudden reaction of a bureaucratic head-teacher. Ashley is determined to save him from expulsion but quickly finds herself fighting a problematic system, apprehensive colleagues, and intimidating and unforgiving parents.

Tony Craze Award shortlisted playwright Daniel Rusteau’s debut play Dismissed is a grounded and propulsive, witty but hard-hitting drama that shines a light on class and racism in the state education system and raises questions about masculinity, punishment and parenting of young Black men.

There will be post-show events taking place after each Saturday matinee performance. Further details to be announced soon.

 

This production is supported by Citz Futures Traineeships. This is a programme run by Cardboard Citizens in partnership with THE UPSETTERS which provides paid opportunities for people without significant prior work experience and with experience of homelessness, inequity, or poverty to gain hands-on experience of working in theatre alongside industry professionals.

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Reviews

'Daniel Rusteau’s powerful debut... [he] creates a deeply absorbing and compelling scenario: from start to finish, everyone is hooked.'
The Upcoming
'Georgia-Mae Myers’s performance was effective and touching... powerful and poignant.'
Voice Mag
'Highly gripping and thought-provoking, Dismissed is a play without a single dull moment... the play does a remarkable job of giving adequate airtime to both points of view... Rusteau gives us a beautifully intricate sketch of her character, and actress Georgia-Mae Myers delivers with aplomb.'
Theatre Bee
'Successfully explore complicated racial and class dynamics in the classroom with nuance through heartfelt performances, a stripped-down set design, and poignant writing.'
GUAP
'thoughtful, well-performed... with engaging dialogue and an eye for humour.'
British Theatre Guide
'A message we ignore at our peril... crisp and urgent giving a sense of desperation... this excellent play... throws light on the issues at hand.'
Playhouse Pickings

Media gallery

Cast

Georgia-Mae Myers

Ashley
Georgia-Mae Myers

Georgia-Mae Myers

Ashley

Rebecca Crankshaw

Susan
Rebecca Crankshaw

Rebecca Crankshaw

Susan

Corey Montague-Sholay

Dennis
Corey Montague-Sholay

Corey Montague-Sholay

Dennis

Jon McGuinness

Jonathan
Jon McGuinness

Jon McGuinness

Jonathan

Bonnie Baddoo

Erica
Bonnie Baddoo

Bonnie Baddoo

Erica

Creatives

Daniel Rusteau

Writer

Nikhil Vyas

Director

Amanda Ramasawmy

Set and Costume Design

Mwen

Sound Design

Laura Howard

Lighting Design

Kwami Odoom

Movement Director

Holly Adomah

Marketing

Ella Godbold-Holmes

Stage Manager

Marcus Bernard

Producer