The History Boys – Theatre Royal, Brighton

Writer: Alan Bennett.

Director: Christopher Luscombe.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Vile

The Public Reviews Rating:

Set in a Sheffield Grammar School during the 1980′s Alan Bennett’s play The History Boys concentrates on a class of bright, adolescent boys who are hoping to go to Oxbridge. Surrounding these students are three very different teachers who are educating the students in the skills that they believe will help them with life outside of school. Through a mixture of humour and pathos the audience watch how the boys progress towards their entrance exams, how the different teaching styles on offer affect them and eventually what happens to the boys in the end.

The catalyst of the piece is the Headmaster played by Thomas Wheatley. His presence on stage was very domineering and his power within the piece was felt. I just wished that he had a little more vocal colour as I found the scenes when he became angry a bit flat, he needed a bit more fire about him. His fixation on the boys getting into Oxbridge because it would look good on the league tables for the school is a view that many people in the audience have experienced whether while a pupil, if they teach themselves or if they have children of their own. His decision to bring Oxford graduate Irwin, performed brilliantly by Ben Lambert, to the school to coach the students for their exams has a knock on effect for the other two teachers in the piece, Hector and Mrs Lintott.

Gerald Murphy played Hector perfectly, he had the right mix of genuine concern and care for his students misxed with pomposity. This allowed the audience to sympathise with his situation but also agree with the students when they called him a fool. Mrs Lintott was performed with deep sincerity by Penelope Beaumont. Her presence gave the piece a much needed female perspective in a very male environment.

The student parts were performed with much enjoyment and enthusiasm. It made a nice change that they all looked like 18 year old boys, this added believeability to the piece, as well as getting all their gestures and actions spot on. It is very difficult to choose stand out performances from such a high standard ensemble group but the the two that stood out for me because of their strong characterisation were Posner played by James Byng, and Timms who’s wit and comic timing was performed perfectly by Christopher Keegan.

The scene changes and set were also in keeping with the overall feel and pace of the piece. Each scene change was carried out by cast members and they were slick and well rehearsed. I also loved the scenery, the use of the set being created by pencil lines on flats continued the child element of the piece and made me think of art lessons.

I would highly reccommend this play to anyone above the age of about 14 years as it does contain some explicit language and adult themes. It is a very accessible, funny piece that keeps you gripped and leaves the audience with plenty to think about.