The History Boys

Alan Bennett’s hilariously funny and exceptionally moving semi-autobiographical play set the theatre-world alight when it premiered in 2004, going on to be a smash-hit in both the West End and on Broadway, collecting Olivier and Tony awards for Best New Play and Best Play respectively.

The History Boys charts the fortunes of an unruly bunch of bright sixth form boys at the fictional Cutlers’ Grammar School in the early 1980s, where, under the guidance of maverick ‘old-school’ English teacher, Hector, and Irwin, the shrewd young supply teacher brought in by their ambitious headmaster to fast-track the boys to success, they each set out to secure themselves a coveted place at Oxford or Cambridge.

It’s a compelling exploration of both the anarchy of adolescence and the very purpose of education itself, but it’s also a wonderful feel-good evening, shot through with Alan Bennett’s masterful wit and abundant humanity – quite simply a must-see.