Red Bus Londinium Life

Review: Squidge, Riverside Studios ****

Squidge at Riverside Studios. Photo credit: Ciaran Wilson
Squidge at Riverside Studios. Photo credit: Ciaran Wilson

REVIEW: Squidge – Riverside Studios

In the echoey, linoleum-scented halls of the British primary school, there is a silent army holding the crumbling masonry together. They are the Teaching Assistants. In Tiggy Bayley’s compelling debut one-woman play, Squidge, currently at Riverside Studios, this silent army finally gets its anthem. It is no surprise to see this production already nominated for an OffFest Award and shortlisted for the Popcorn Award 2024.

Bayley does not just perform; she inhabits. As a teacher myself and someone who has spent time in the trenches of one to one support, I can attest that the school scenes here are piercingly accurate. From the frantic energy of the children to the weary politics of the staffroom, Bayley captures the creeping realization of just how broken the system is, while simultaneously highlighting the defiant hope that keeps it beating.

The heart of the play lies in the burgeoning connection between our protagonist, a grieving soul, and Paddy, a vulnerable student in need of an anchor. It is immensely powerful to watch this woman begin to recognize her own power through the lens of another’s need. Paddy’s reliance on her is the ultimate gift. It is the catalyst she needs to grow beyond her own trauma.

The production itself is a masterclass in “less is more.” The lighting was excellent, providing a sharp focus that mirrored the protagonist’s internal shifts. The sparse props worked incredibly well, allowing the audience to fill in the gaps of the classroom with their own imagination. One of the most poignant moments involved the use of music. Hearing Bruno Mars sung by children was real “there is something in my eye” territory. There truly is nothing more moving than children together in song.

The script is a lean, extraordinary feat of writing. To capture the vast complexity of the UK education system within a short runtime is no small task, yet Bayley makes it look effortless. I could picture every scene as if it were plucked from my own career, though fortunately I am yet to swear during a fire drill.

Let us be clear. Teaching Assistants are horrendously underpaid. They are the glue of our society, often serving as the only stable advocate for our most vulnerable children. While some might tumble into the role for the wrong reasons, Squidge serves as a visceral reminder of the immense debt we owe to those who stay.

As a piece of drama, it is moving. As an anthem beating the drum for the power of the TA, it is near perfect. Get on the bus and see this. It might just change how you look at the person standing in front of you at the school gates.

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