To create humour in the play, Willy Russell emplays stage directions that allows the audience to see the humorous side rather than to hear it. An important character in the play is Carol that symbolises the hopelessness of the children. Thirdly, there are Reiley, Digga, Linda and Karen who know about Colin and Susan’s relationship and use this fact against the teachers. ‘How y’ getting’ on with miss, eh sir? We saw y’, sir goin’ into that pub with her sir.’ From this quotation, it implies that Colin and Susan have a relationship together that allow the children to tease them even more. Secondly, there are two other teachers who also go on the trip, Colin and Susan. However, to and extent, too much of one thing does not lead the children very far in life. It could be argued that they are both correct in terms of what is essential for the children. On the other hand, Briggs believes the trip is to learn and benefit from the knowledge they see around them. Kay believes that the point of a school trip for the progress class students is to have fun and to enjoy themselves. Kay who go on the trip and have contrasting personalities to one another. During this play, we are introduced to some main characters that have been given specific stereotypical personalities.

The title of the play, ‘Our Day Out,’ suggests a day travelling somewhere, in the case, the progress class going to Wales to visit some historical places. ‘Our Day Out’ not only conveys humour but also consists of many serious factors that Willy Russell wanted to put across to his audience consequently he added humour to portray serious points as people understand them better. Therefore, Willy Russell had a didactic purpose.

His intention was to entertain his audience with a fine piece of comedy writing but also he wanted to inform people of the lack of education, attention and communication teachers had with children, particularly the progress class. This leads us to Willy Russell’s main purposes. A few children had difficulties learning and consequently were known as the ‘progress class.’ However, recent government initiatives to focus on deprived areas have started being implemented. There were only a limited number of good teachers and children who were willing to learn due to social and environmental limitations. There were very little facilities available and as a result, only a few people continued to work in Liverpool. Due to these circumstances, people started to drift away from the inner city and soon enough there was an increase of unemployment and poverty. This area had a high amount of environmental problems that included derelict houses, vandalism and a vast amount of pollution and decay. ‘Our Day Out’ is set in the inner city of Liverpool.

Our day out play script download