Synopsis

The play is set in a further education college at the end of the academic year. College lecturer Jack Mackintosh is nearing retirement age. It’s the end of a tiring day, and all he wants to do is go home. He eavesdrops on attractive Senior Lecturer Helen Roberton and lecturer Janet Hardy discussing the state of the college and its future. Helen says that dead wood needs to be cut out, a comment clearly aimed at Jack. When Janet leaves, Helen encounters student Craig Skinner, who asks her to put in a good word for him.

Jack finds a card on his desk, left for him by student Sharon Barret. The message ‘to my favourite teacher’ makes him shed a tear. Head of Department Mrs Doyle corners Jack in his room, suggests he should consider early retirement, and leaves an envelope on his desk. Helen tackles Jack, asking him to alter Craig’s examination mark. Jack refuses, mentioning Helen’s previous affair with a student.

Jack overhears students Leanne and Tracey laughing about Sharon’s card, saying it was meant as a joke. When he tackles Sharon she tells him that she’s leaving the college because his standards are too high for her to reach. Craig confronts Jack about his examination mark, and opens Mrs Doyle’s letter – a compulsory redundancy notice. 

Duration

Characters