A PLAY taking a powerful and humorous look at the education system is coming to Bridport Arts Centre.

Burning Books, to be performed tomorrow (14) at 8pm, asks what should schools do when they are losing so many teachers?

On Teach First student Kat’s first day at Hurstville Community College, Nicky Morgan announces forced academisation for all state schools. Kat is ready for the picket line but her attempts to join the NUT are met with contempt by union stalwart Janine. The head teacher is invisible and the staff are more concerned about losing their staff room, disappearing books and a history teacher who hasn’t been seen for weeks.

This is a powerful and humorous look at an education system buckling under government cuts and targets. It's also a story of protest and the teachers who choose to fight back.

The play was written by Jess Green, a performance poet and playwright who has performed at Glastonbury, Latitude, Bestival and the Edinburgh Fringe and is the current BBC Poetry Slam Champion.

Her first collection, Burning Books, published by Burning Eye Books was shortlisted for the East Midlands Book Award 2015 and as a poetry and music show received 5* reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe and on its national tour.

It was at this point that Jess hit a nerve when a YouTube post of the poem Dear Mr Gove became an overnight must-see and reached over 300,000 views. The theatre adaptation of Burning Books was longlisted for the Bread & Roses Theatre Award 2016 and performed to sell-out audiences at Curve Theatre in Leicester.

Her second poetry and music show, A Self Help Guide To Being In Love With Jeremy Corbyn based around her second collection of the same name and performed with her band, The Mischief Thieves went to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2018 and received 4* reviews.

Jess also runs Leicester poetry night, Find The Right Words which was shortlisted for Best Regular UK Poetry Event in the Saboteur Awards 2018.

Burning Books, Bridport Arts Centre, Friday September 14, 8pm. Call the box office for tickets.