The History Boys
Alan Bennett
Set in a 1980s Sheffield grammar school, the play follows an unruly but bright group of sixth-formers as they prepare for Oxbridge entrance exams. The students are caught between the contrasting teaching styles of the eccentric, holistic Hector and the cynical, results-driven young Irwin. As they navigate the pressures of academia, they also grapple with their burgeoning identities and the complexities of history. The play is a brilliant, witty, and moving exploration of the purpose of education and the elusive nature of historical truth, blending sharp intellectual debate with deeply human moments of vulnerability and humor.
Hector: An eccentric, aging teacher who values knowledge for its own sake and forms deep, sometimes inappropriate, emotional bonds with his students through poetry and song. Irwin: A young, pragmatic substitute teacher hired to polish the boys' exam technique by teaching them to treat history as a series of clever, contrarian performances. Dakin: The most handsome and self-assured student, whose burgeoning sexuality and intellectual agility make him the object of fascination for both his peers and his teachers.
First Performance: 2004, at Lyttelton Theatre (National Theatre), London
A phenomenal success that swept the Olivier and Tony Awards, becoming one of the most beloved British plays of the 21st century.
Original Actors: Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Dominic Cooper, James Corden