The History Boys

“History? It’s just one f***ing thing after another”

The 20th anniversary production of Alan Bennett’s brilliant modern classic, winner of 30 major awards, and voted The Nation’s Favourite Play in 2013.

A-Level results day. Cutler’s Grammar School. 1980s Sheffield. Eight unruly teenagers burst into adulthood with the best grades their school has ever seen, but their sights are set on something higher: to study at the most famous academic institutions in the world - Oxford and Cambridge. But their teachers can’t agree how best to tutor them. There’s Hector, the maverick English teacher who believes in culture for its own sake; Irwin - the shrewd supply teacher full of soundbites; Felix - the headmaster obsessed with league tables and Mrs Lintott - the History teacher who thinks her colleagues are all fools.

The History Boys follows this bright bunch of boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university, lifting the lid on staffroom rivalries and the anarchy of adolescence.This timely revival, directed by Seán Linnen (Quiz, Chichester Festival Theatre, Queers, Old Vic), asks what is purpose of education? And who is it for?Alan Bennett has been a household name in British theatre for more than fifty years. His numerous plays include Habeas Corpus, Single Spies, The Madness of George III, Talking Heads and The Lady in the Van.

“Intelligent, witty and hilarious. Passes with flying coloursr” The Times 

“Immensely funny... in short, a superb, life-enhancing play” Guardian

“Brilliantly funny with lines that we will be quoting for years to come... naughty, impish, endlessly ironic” Financial Times

Age guidance: 14+