The History Boys

‘The History Boys’ by Alan Bennett, centres on life in a sixth form in the mid 1980s involving  an unruly but intelligent bunch of boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at University, all guided by their teachers of different styles under pressure from the Headmaster to improve results. The writing is a classic and the performance with the exception of minor moments was too.

The boys were excellent and it is difficult to single out any, but there were some very convincing performances by Simon Thompson as ‘Dakin’ and  Michael Burgess as ‘Posner’, with Alex Stallard as ‘Rudge’ and Jack Gandy as ‘Timms’ providing some well timed lines. Eddie Thomas as ‘Scripps’ added depth on piano, joined in song by ‘Posner’, to the audiences delight. The scene spoken entirely in French was very impressive.

The teachers without exception were excellent and totally convincing.

 John Birchley as ‘Hector’ was possibly one of those teachers that you don’t wholly appreciate at the time but who you will quote in later life. His style and delivery certainly brought back memories of a certain teacher that I can recall in the early 70s, not for his misdemeanours I should add, but for his diversion from the syllabus that all enjoyed.  I suspect there are fewer such characters in our schools today which would be a great pity.

On the other hand ‘Irwin’ played by Ed Butler was there to concentrate the minds of the boys on preparing for Oxford or Cambridge, suggesting there were always alternative views to the excepted reasons for historic events. Obviously a brilliant scholar, he was not without his own problems which student ‘Dakin’, explored ruthlessly.

‘Mrs Lintott’ was in the experienced hands of Anne Lane, as performer as well as that totally reliable member of staff maintaining standards and offering words of wisdom to colleagues. Martin Bourne, every bit the ‘Headmaster’ too exuded experience delivering lines with clarity and great timing.

It was clear from the start that the whole cast gelled well together and whilst the fixed stage was used for several areas of the school, the transition from one part of the action to another was slick. The set itself was excellent and the intermittent music and projections also enhanced this first class production in the capable hands of David Goode.

Thank you for a very thought proving and entertaining evening.

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