‘The History Boys' by Alan Bennett is a powerhouse of a production, thanks to timeless writing and Swiss timepiece delivery from the dynamic title cast. Currently on tour at Theatre Royal Plymouth, and celebrating twenty years of stage performances, the 80s-based show is gritty, joyful and an absolute must-watch for anyone who has ever gone to school.
School and life are examined through literature and history, irony and reality, as the university-destined northern lads wrestle with exams, awakenings and growing up in a post-exam term, preparing to take the entrance exams for Oxford and Cambridge. Hector (Jolyon Young) is their literature teacher, who generally overseas the lads’ enthusiasm for art, including an achingly funny French play within a play the boys are enacting as the results-obsessed Headmaster (Milo Twomey) walks in. The ante is upped, the class acting as one united in defence of Hector and the physical act of learning. New, temporary contract history teacher Irwin (Bill Milner) is drafted in to prepare the boys for the academic competition of Oxbridge, in very much a desk-in-rows format, critically examining periods of history.
From the first ensemble scene between the eight title characters, celebrating A Level results, their energy was dynamic with an effortless natural bond. Within just a few scenes their individual personalities emerged, such is the power both of Alan Bennett’s writing and the cast, with the focus centred on three lads particularly: the devout Scripps, the charismatic Dakin and the not-just-a-phase Posner, in love with Dakin. The spotlight shines on the sporty Rudge and joker Timms at key moments in the play. During set changes the cast move as one to switch between classrooms and the playground, often during a piano performance or with a reimagining of a classic ‘80s song.
There are many stand out moments and quotes, including an edge-of-the-seat performance of the Rodgers and Hart song ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered' by Posner (Lewis Cornay) who fearlessly delivers some of the best lines given to the character.
‘The History Boys' is the stellar stage debut for local Devon lad Archie Christoph-Allen as the outgoing Dakin, either at the centre of attention, or evaluating his objects of affection.
Of the teachers, Mrs Lintott (Gillian Bevan) made the strongest impact on me, offering insights into teaching as a profession, views on education or delivering a ripple of a monologue summarising the role of a woman in education forty years ago.
On explaining poetry, Bennett wrote, most of the stuff hasn’t happened to us yet. But it will, and poetry is the antidote. These words were delivered by the literature/general studies teacher Hector, a figure who represents the dark side of education in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and who Bennett manages to draw understanding to.
How important is education, what should education look like, and how can it be measured? Bennett was vociferous that education and public libraries should be free; without them he wouldn’t have been able to make the move from Leeds to Exeter College, Oxford (where an Edinburgh fringe experience had him perform with Dudley Moore, Peter Cook and Jonathan Miller with ‘Beyond the Fringe). These questions are as relevant in classrooms and universities today.
As the chairs began to be stacked away, I just didn’t want the seventh term to end. Though the purpose of the play’s dialogue is to keenly examine the role of education and life, in a witty and relevant way amongst a cast of boys growing to adulthood, it was the cast that I will long remember for their epic delivery of the Olivier and Tony Award winning Bennett play. As I walked out of the theatre into the Plymouth night, I was filled with renewed hope for the future of the arts.
There are some sensitive issues that the play deals with, and the character Mrs Lintott delivers the most marvellously base language.
If you’re over 14 and have ever wondered about the role art, literature and the humanities play in life, you must watch the production of ‘The History Boys'. Even better if you’re teaching this at English A Level – bring your class.
Cast: Archie Christoph-Allen, Lewis Cornay, Yazdan Qafouri, Teddy Hinde, Mahesh Parmer, Zrey Sholapurkar, Ned Costello, Curtis Kemlo, Tashinga Bepete, Simon Rouse, Jolyon Young, Gillian Bevan, Rowena Bentley, Bill Milner, Milo Twomey, Elliot Parchment-Morrison, Morgan Phillips, Rob Astillo Director: Sean Linnen Musical Director: Eamonn O’Dwyer Production Manager: Andy Pye Duration: 165 minutes Theatre: Theatre Royal Plymouth Dates: 17th – 21st September 2024 Performance date: 17th September 2024 Buy tickets
