The History Boys

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The History Boys

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)

The History Boys

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 11m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Suggested Use
    • Scene work
    • Competition or audition material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2006 Tony Award, Best Play
    Winner! 2005 Olivier Award, Best New Play
    Winner! 2006 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Play
    Winner! 2006 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Broadway Play
    Winner! 2004 Evening Standard Award, Best Play

Details

Summary
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 taking the Tony Award as Best Play of the Season.
History
The History Boys was first presented by the National Theatre at the Lyttleton Theatre in London on May 18, 2004. It was directed by Nicholas Hytner. The play was subsequently presented on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City on April 23, 2006. It was also directed by Mr. Hytner.
Keywords
Performing Groups
HEADMASTER
HECTOR - English/General studies teacher
IRWIN - History teacher
MRS. DOROTHY LINTOTT - History teacher
AKTHAR - student, Muslim
CROWTHER - student, acts as a hobby
STUART DAKIN - student, handsome
JAMES LOCKWOOD - student, opinionated
DAVID POSNER - student, the youngest, gay, Jewish
RUDGE - student, an athlete
DONALD SCRIPSS - student, Anglican, pianist
TIMMS - student, class clown, overweight
  • Time Period 1980s
  • Setting A high school in the north of England. The mid-1980's.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"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

"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

"Brilliantly funny...The History Boys is moving, disquieting: one follows it with a heart brimful...[Bennett's] finest work in decades." - Financial Times

Photos

  • The History Boys

    Image: 2006 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $130 per performance

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Authors

Alan Bennett

Alan Bennett

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 ...

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