(16)
Our Boys
Jonathan Lewis
The History Boys: A Play
by Alan Bennett
Highlights
Awards & Recognition
Drama Desk Award Evening Standard Award Olivier Award Outer Critics Circle Tony Award
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
Synopsis
"A play of depth as well as dazzle, intensely moving as well as thought-provoking and funny."
―
The Daily Telegraph In The History Boys
, Alan Bennett evokes the special period and place that the sixth form represents in an English boy's life.
In doing so, he 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.
An unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form (or senior) boys in a British boys' 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 a young history teacher who questions the methods, as well as the aim, of their schooling.
Winner of six Tony Awards, The History Boys was also made into a movie of the same name in 2006.
Press Reviews
"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
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| 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 |
| Headmaster |
Videos
The History Boys – 20th Anniversary Belgrade Theatre Production Trailer
Publication
Publisher Faber & Faber
Year 2006
Binding Paperback
Edition First Edition
Pages 144
Place London
Language English
ISBN-13 9780571224647
ISBN-10 0571224644
LCCN 2005936593
LCC PR6052.E5
The History Boys: A Play is a British comedy play written by Alan Bennett and published by Faber & Faber in London (2006).
Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books .
Community Reviews
No community reviews yet
Buy Play
Similar Plays
Plays with similar themes, style, and content.
More from Alan Bennett
More plays from Alan Bennett that we think you'll enjoy.
