E.R. Braithwaite's To Sir, With Love coming to Birmingham REP

Immortalised in the classic film of the same name, starring Sidney Poitier, and brilliantly adapted for the stage by the writer of East Is East, Ayub Khan-Din, the brand new production is directed by Gwenda Hughes and Tom Saunders.

It is being brought to life by a company of talented young performers alongside professional actors, with the lead being taken by Philip Morris as Rick Braithwaite.

Based on E. R. Braithwaite's autobiography, To Sir, With Love is an inspirational story of courage and hope. Braithwaite, a Cambridge graduate and ex-RAF fighter pilot, has fought for his country but is still fighting for acceptance. Despite being a skilled engineer, no employer wants him. As the reality of life as a black man in post-war Britain hits him, he is forced to take a teaching post in a tough but progressive inner city school.

Morris has enjoyed getting into the role: "It's set in the 1940s. And I think one thing I've learned is that although so many people were invited over to this country to stay there was still such an uproar with this new 'species'. People weren't greeted as warmly as we might have thought. Even in terms of terminologies. It was quite horrifying.

"I was familiar with that era of racial intolerance through my parents. They were massive fans of the film. I had initially heard about To Sir with Love because of them but I hadn't seen it. So when I mentioned that I was playing the lead they were ecstatic. It's a great piece for all ethnicities.

"It really speaks to my parents' generation so they're very proud. My grandfather ,who came in the 1950s, would have endured some of the experiences that we touch on in the play. The work makes us realise we've come a long way together."

The play focuses on Rick and the way in which his class doesn't want him.

The world has given up on them and with very little to look forward to after leaving school, they are in no hurry to listen to him. But Rick knows what it's like to be ignored and isn't going to turn his back on them too.

Set against a changing backdrop, where World War II still looms large in the public memory, and strides are yet to be made in civil rights, the remarkable story about fighting prejudice with hope, set during a time of austerity, is still as relevant today as it was when it was written.

Ayub Khan-Din enjoyed adapting the piece. "I think for me it was about reading the book and seeing what resonated. For me that was the discussion about education. Especially today, as everyone is so concerned about the way we're educating our children, the style we're using and how we're all worrying about the schools we can get our children into.

"The thing about To Sir, With Love is that it talks about a radical form of education. In this school they try to get children involved in the decision making of the school and to have a say in the way they are educated. The school is given a responsibility to look beyond formal education and has a vision to send children out into wider society, fully able to participate in the decision making of that society. That's what fascinated me and made me excited about the book and the ideas that I wanted to put into the play."

To Sir, With Love was E. R. Braithwaite's first book and was written in 1959. Later books include Paid Servant, A Kind of Homecoming and Reluctant Neighbours.

Morris has a love/hate relationship with his character. "The problem with rick is that he's very clued up, which may seem like a really good thing but actually he feels that there is only way to teach and if people in the classroom don't understand that, that's their fault. He doesn't adapt. If I'd been in his class, I'd have struggled.

"Once he opens up creative ways of delivering his lessons. For myself, it's really playing a polar opposite to the kind of person I am. Once he sort of finds the key, in terms of communicating in a language people understand, things change."

Ayub-Khan Din is the celebrated author of East Is East, which premiered at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1997 before going on to become a hugely successful film. His other work includes Rafta Rafta which won an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and West is West, the sequel to East is East.

Gwenda Hughes is returning to Birmingham Repertory Theatre to direct. She was previously Associate Director at The REP where she directed over twenty five productions, including the Olivier Award-winning musical, Once On This Island, and was also previously Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the New Vic Theatre in Staffordshire. Most recently she directed The Rotters' Club, These Four Streets and The Wind In the Willows for The REP and Proof and Spring and Port Wine for the New Vic. Co-director Tom Saunders is The REP's Head of Youth Theatre.