Oxford Playhouse is delighted to announce a brand-new Young Company production of The Wardrobe Ensemble’s acclaimed play, Education, Education, Education.

This comedic love letter to 1990s Britain is brought to life by the theatre’s ensemble of 17 to 25-year-olds based in Oxfordshire, directed by Paul Simpson.

Education, Education, Educationtransports audiences back to 1997 – a year that saw a landslide victory for New Labour, a 227-point win for Katrina and the Waves at Eurovision, followed by Ginger Spice donning an iconic Union Jack dress at the Brit Awards. There was a new era of hope sweeping the nation, and Things Can Only Get Better.

While capturing the bubbly zeitgeist of the 1990s, The Wardrobe Ensemble’s piercingly witty play brings to the forefront the realities of the era, following a secondary school as it slides into chaos amid the challenges of an underfunded education system.

The Young Company tackle pressing questions about a nation under strain, presenting them in a fast-paced intimate production that is uniquely staged, inviting audiences to sit on stage amidst the action.

Reflecting on the production, Paul Simpson – Head of Participation & Artist Development at The Playhouse – said:

“Education, Education, Education feels as relevant and relatable as ever. To start, each of the characters embodies a personal, emotional journey that all of us have confronted at least once in our lives. But further still, the social and political context feels frighteningly familiar.

I’ve had so much fun exploring the 90s with this year’s Young Company. Every rehearsal has been full of laughter and music, and I’m so proud of the ensemble we’ve built. Each member has a unique and important place within our group – playful, expressive and daring – words that, for me, embody everything about my experience of life in the 90s.”

The team behind this Oxford Playhouse Young Company production includes Paul Simpson (Director), Alice Whitfield-Jessop (Assistant Director), Emma Webb (Movement Director), Anna White (Rehearsal Assistant), Tom Freeman (Producer), and Jo Woodcock (Production & Stage Manager). The costume and set design is by Immy Howard, with lighting design by Will Hayman and sound design by Gus Van Spyk. The set has been constructed in-house by James Thearle and Jonny Kruip.