A PLAY that began as a 20-minute short has been developed into a full-length solo show, which Dorsetborn is premiering at Poole’s Lighthouse arts centre on Wednesday and Thursday 15th and 16th April.
Described as a romcom-thriller, Lessons from Teacher x explores love, suspicion and the warring roles we play in adult life.
Cam is a hopeless romantic, a secondary school teacher falling for a handsome stranger. Crystal is an online model, punishing men for money. One has pupils, the other only fans. But they share a shameful secret…
The debut play by Erin De Frias, Lessons from Teacher x follows Cam as she embarks on a new romantic relationship, all the while harbouring a deep, serious secret – that of being an online model – which, if revealed, would ruin her life.
Erin first met Dorsetborn director Rohan Gotobed at INK Festival in Suffolk, where the two collaborated on an earlier version of the play. Erin says: “Working with Rohan and Dorsetborn over the last few years has been a dream come true. It’s been a joy to develop the play into what it is today. What started as a 20-minute piece is now bursting with more energy and drama than we could have hoped for, and seeing Barbara bring it to life is absolutely amazing to watch.”
Bringing Cam, Crystal and 13 other characters to life is former EastEnders actress Barbara Smith, who played Dana Monroe across 86 episodes of the BBC drama. She is now making her professional theatre debut: “Lessons from Teacher x is the most exciting acting challenge of my career so far,” she says.
“I can’t wait to bring all these incredible characters to life, especially Cam. Her story is going to get people talking. I had a great time on EastEnders, and playing Dana Monroe has set me up wonderfully for this new adventure with Dorsetborn.”
Lessons from Teacher x follows Dorsetborn’s critically acclaimed Fort, which also premiered in Dorset in 2024 before a London run early last year. It has been developed with support from Poole Lighthouse, Forest Forge Theatre, Dorchester Arts and INK Festival.
Dorsetborn will be touring the play across the UK. Local dates and venues are Lighthouse Poole (15th and 16th April), Dorchester Arts (21st May), Taunton Brewhouse (23rd May), There will be free post-show events in Poole and Dorchester.
The creative team includes director Rohan Gotobed, set and costume designer Layla Bradbeer, lighting designer Sherry Coenen, composer and sound designer Ed Lewis, and associate producer Sophie Janssen.