Writer: Alan Gordon

Director: Steve Small

Reviewer: Charles Tyrer

The Public Reviews Rating:

Technology plays an integral role in the development of the younger generation; it’s there day to day. It’s how relationships are formed and/or are cemented and statuses affirmed. It’s the biggest high school playground the world has ever seen. Will the long term effects of this cyber reality result in the alienation of society and the end of corporeal human relationships?

Simon (Andy Peppiette) is an 18 year old virgin; Emma (Amy Drummond) is ten years his senior. He wants to be taught the basics of sex. She can barely remember all of her sexual encounters. After giving into his request; she flippantly try’s to brush him off. As she struggles to do so, her confident facade soon crumbles into Simon’s hands. This is a story of the need to conform, and how conformity never leads to fulfilment, of changing status’s and lives that are destined for different paths but somehow collide, leading to a permanent mark on two souls.

Teach Me eloquently observes the confines of teenage sex. Whilst very much set in the 21 century, and abundant with acute popular culture references, the all-encompassing topic of sex obliterates generational boundaries. It is rare for writing to have such universality, but Alan Gordon masterfully achieves it. In presenting an anti – erotic piece which deconstructs how sex is portrayed in the mass media, it is at times awkward, somewhat uncomfortable but always grounded in reality and always entertaining.

In the midst of our concerns about the all-consuming power of technology and cyber reality, this piece offers a burst of “real life,” suggesting our fears are unfounded. Placing technology as inferior to the intoxicating power of human contact, Teach Me highlights the human power to enhance another’s life in a tangible way; such that technology could never hope to emulate.

Runs until 26th of August

Tags: Alan Gordon, Amy Drummond, Andy Peppiette, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Fringe, Fringe, Hill Street Theatre, Steve Small, Strange Town Theatre Company, Studio, Teach Me