The cast included Jonathan Pryce as the main character, Gethin Price, Stephen Rea and the comedian and music hall performer Jimmy Jewel as the teacher.
Various evening classes take place in the classroom, including a stand-up comedy course taught by Eddie Waters, a retired comedian.
One by one, Phil Murray, George McBrain, Sammy Samuels and Mick Connor file into the room, as they discuss their outfits for later that night.
First on is Mick Connor, who delivers a routine based on his identity as an Irishman in England, staying true to his previous stand-up.
Thirdly, the brothers Ged and Phil Murray begin a chaotic performance in which they have an argument onstage about their act, resulting in a dismal failure.
Milo O'Shea now played the teacher, but Jonathan Pryce retained his role and he was the only British actor in the first American production.
It was directed by Jimmy Fay, and the actors were Brian de Salvo, Dan Gordon, Karl Shiels and Aidan Kelly.
A London revival opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith on 7 October 2009,[5] at the beginning of the Artistic Directorship of Sean Holmes.
The production starred Matthew Kelly as the teacher Eddie Waters, Keith Allen as the agent Bert Challenor.
The rest of the cast was Mark Benton, Reece Shearsmith, David Dawson, Billy Carter, Michael Dylan, Kulvinder Ghir, Simon Kunz, Paul Rider and Nick Williamson.