The History Boys, UK Tour Review
History Boys production image. Photo by Marc Brenner
Written by Hollie for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own
Caution: This production includes strong language
Nottingham’s Autumn season at the Theatre Royal kicks off with this classic high school play from renowned playwright Alan Bennett. Directed by Sean Linnen, this adaptation is a fresh and thought-provoking take on the popular play based in Sheffield in the 1980s.
This diverse and well-rehearsed cast of actors enthralls the audience with their acapella singing and explorations of diversity, sexuality and varying perspectives.
The stripped back scenery, designed by Grace Smart, allows for the focus to be on the talented young actors, as the play focuses on a group of eight boys, who have excelled in their A-levels and are applying to a range of top universities with the support from the eclectic teaching staff.
The boys are known as the History boys, with their excellent knowledge of the past, but the boys are known to excel in other subjects including English and French with some added surprises! This very popular production explores the journey to the league tables and the pressures of Oxbridge, as well as some dodgy relationships and lessons with some of the teachers. Over the coming months, the teachers struggle to decide what the best approach is with the boys going forward.
The headmaster, played by Milo Twomey, believes the children should be taught by newly qualified teacher Irwin, played by Bill Milner. But Hector, who is heading towards retirement, remains strong in his scandalous role-play approach and the teachers cannot decide what is for the best.
Interspersed with tunes from the 80s, including ‘Karma Chameleon’, ‘Rio’ and ‘You Spin Me Round’ this show is full of humour, local references and jokes, as well as a fantastic camaraderie between the cast.
Simon Rouse deftly depicts English and General Studies teacher Hector by tackling some tricky issues and themes. The use of his monologue towards the end of the production was superbly acted and reminiscent of Alan Bennett’s style in his famous television production ‘Talking Heads.’
A special mention needs to be made to Lewis Cornay, who plays Posner, for his fantastic singing voice and exploration of his character’s perspective and development throughout the play.
As audience members, we were completely immersed within the culture and society of the time, and this production reminds you not only of how times have changed but provides you with food for thought. This show reminded us of Stranger Things and the new found love and popularity of that particular era.
This play, which premiered at the National Theatre in 2004, has been modernised for audiences in 2024 through the use of the music directed by Eamonn O’Dwyer, the detailed scenery by Grace Smart, and the cleverly curated costumes by Denny Evans.
This show is the ‘only education worth having!’
The History Boys continues at the Theatre Royal Nottingham until Saturday 14th September 2024 before it moves to Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre and Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre before concluding at Richmond Theatre in November 2024.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
