The Brentwood School's Sir Anthony Browne Society were treated to a taste of London celebrity culture on Friday 12^th September, by attending a fantastic excursion to the renowned West End play Under the Blue Sky, written by former Brentwood School pupil David Eldridge. The groundbreaking play, which examines the private lives of six teachers outside of school hours, has been given glowing reviews by many well-known critics since its first showing at the Royal Court Theatre in 2000.

The talented Eldridge, whose credits include Our Hidden Lives (BBC), Festen (Almeida), Incomplete and Random Acts of Kindness, Killers and The Picture Man (BBC) wowed pupils by meeting them at the Duke of York's Theatre before the show began to discuss and share his wisdom of playwriting with them. David, who obtained his Drama GCSE at Brentwood School, also revealed that his main idea behind the play came together, as many of his ideas do, on a bus journey from Swiss Cottage.

Eldridge too confirmed that the play and some of the main characters featured in it are inspired by his former Brentwood School teachers. He even dedicates Under the Blue Sky to "Ruth and Stevo - my favourite teachers." Miss Prior and Mr Stevenson, Eldridge's former English and Drama teachers, are just two of the Brentwood School teachers that inspired Eldridge's characters and play.

Under the Blue Sky is also based on one of Eldridge's favourite writing ideas of unrequited love and is inspired by some of his favourite films and books including Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Pupils were treated to an outstanding show and a star-studded cast including Catherine Tate, who took the time to meet the students after the play for autographs and pictures.

David, originally from Romford, works significantly to encourage playwriting to new and first-time playwrights. Under the Blue Sky won the Time Out Live award 2001 for Best New Play in the West End.

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