THE often quoted and scurrilous saying, “those that can, do and, those that can’t, teach”, was well and truly laid to rest this week with the outstanding performance of Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’ by members of staff at Taunton School and Taunton Preparatory School.

Darren Riggs had the unenviable task of directing fellow speech and drama teachers, all clearly talented and, I’m sure with their own ideas and interpretations of this well-known tale of brother’s parted at birth and reunited in later life with tragic consequences.

However, the actors put aside their pride and took direction well as the audiences on both nights appreciated their efforts.

The performances were stripped back to acting in its purest form with little to distract from the strong characterisation injected by all performers.

But perhaps the largest dose of swallowed pride belonged to Dr John Newton who narrated the story in holographic format, but with a strong Liverpool accent.

An unthinkable act under normal circumstances, for a boy from Manchester!

All monies raised from the performances are donated to charity and those that were privileged to have sat in either of the packed houses will not only have contributed to worthy causes but will also have witnessed acting of the highest quality from those that can not only teach, but can ‘do’ as well.