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A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 1w, 11m
Alan Bennett
“Madly enjoyable!” – The New York Times
“Nothing could diminish the incendiary achievement of this subtle, deep-wrought and immensely funny play about the value and meaning of education... In short, a superb, life-enhancing play.” – The Guardian
Image: 2006 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)
Winner! 2006 Tony Award, Best Play Winner! 2005 Olivier Award, Best New PlayWinner! 2006 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding PlayWinner! 2006 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Broadway PlayWinner! 2004 Evening Standard Award, Best Play
An unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form (senior) boys in a British boarding school are, as such boys will be, in pursuit of sex, sport, and a place at a good university – generally in that order. In all their efforts, they are helped and hindered, enlightened and bemused, by a maverick English teacher who seeks to broaden their horizons in sometimes undefined ways, and by a young history teacher who questions the methods, as well as the aim, of their schooling.
In The History Boys, Alan Bennett raises – with gentle wit and pitch-perfect command of character – not only universal questions about the nature of history and how it is taught but also questions about the purpose of education today. Following a sold out run in London, The History Boys premiered on Broadway in April 2006, winning the Tony Award for Best Play.
The History Boys was first presented by the National Theatre at the Lyttleton Theatre in London on 18 May 2004 and directed by Nicholas Hytner. The play was subsequently presented on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City on 23 April 2006 and was again directed by Mr. Hytner.
HEADMASTERHECTOR – English/General studies teacherIRWIN – History teacherMRS. DOROTHY LINTOTT – History teacherAKTHAR – Student, MuslimCROWTHER – Student, acts as a hobbySTUART DAKIN – Student, handsomeJAMES LOCKWOOD – Student, opinionatedDAVID POSNER – Student, the youngest, gay, JewishRUDGE – Student, an athleteDONALD SCRIPSS – Student, Anglican, pianistTIMMS – Student, class clown, overweight
A high school in the north of England. The mid-1980s.
“Brilliantly funny.” – Financial Times
“Madly enjoyable... moves with a breezy narrative swagger that transcends cultural barriers... Musical numbers, video sequences, scholarly debates, the acting-out of vintage movie scenes, moments of shocking emotional nakedness and wry internal monologues travel cheek by jowl here... Mr. Bennet’s dialogue [is] as shimmering and warming as a fine Cognac... As befits a play about precocious, irreverent students... The History Boys is a bright brooder with a strong streak of the showoff.” – The New York Times
“Brilliantly funny... The History Boys is moving, disquieting: one follows it with a heart brimful...[Bennett's] finest work in decades.” – Financial Times
The History Boys – 20th Anniversary Belgrade Theatre Production Trailer
The History Boys – 2015 UK Tour Trailer
Alan Bennett was born in Leeds in 1934. After studying at Oxford University he collaborated as a writer and performer with Dudley Moore, Jonathan Miller and Peter Cook in Beyond the Fringe in 1960 at the Edinburgh Festival. He then turned to writing full time and produced h ...
by Willy Russell
Willy Russell
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Jay Presson Allen
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