Express & Star

'It’s simply a brilliant play': The History Boys cast talk ahead of Wolverhampton Grand shows

A brand new production of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys is being staged at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Published
The History Boys is coming to Wolverhampton in the new year

We sat down with ‘the boys’ for a chat about the play…

What is The History Boys about?

Frazer Hadfield: It’s about a group of 6th form students in a school in Sheffield in the 80’s who are all trying to get into Oxford and Cambridge.

They are being mentored by a teacher, Hector, who is one of those old fashioned teachers, but the headmaster doesn’t quite think he’s cutting it, so he brings in the help of a younger teacher fresh from university - his name is Irwin.

It looks at what knowledge is, what education is and how the two very different styles mingle together.

It also looks at the boys growing up, it’s a real coming of age story of the boys discovering what they want to do for themselves and how education guides them to that.

Tell us about your individual characters?

Thomas Grant [Posner]: He is Jewish, he is gay, he is coming to terms with the fact that he is love with Dakin.

Jordan Scowen [Dakin]: He doesn’t take anything too seriously. He likes the attention of the women which is what he spends a lot of his time focusing on. He has a bit of a strange relationship with Irwin, who is a figure that he’s never had in his life before and has quite a strong affect him.

Arun Bassi [Akhtar]: He’s a young Muslim living in Sheffield. He is very much a cheeky chap; he loves hanging out with the lads and he loves bonding with this group of people he’s known all his life.

Dominic Treacy [Timms]: Timms is the archetypal joker of the pack. Loves a laugh and is bright, but also is often the distraction in the group.

Frazer [Scripps]: Scripps acts as a bit of a wise man for some of the characters. He is very religious and steps out of the action sometimes to narrate the action on stage.

Joe Wiltshire Smith [Rudge]: Rudge likes his rugby, he’s earthy but he thinks he’s out of his depth.

James Schofield [Lockwood]: Lockwood is quite focussed, knows he wants to do well and is quite driven, but he also takes the opportunity to clown about a bit.

Adonis Jenieco [Crowther]: Wants to be an actor and is always encouraging other people to join him in little scenes.

A scene from The History Boys trailer

The play asks a lot of questions about relations, sexuality, and education. Why is the play so relevant today and why are audiences still engaged with it 15 years later?

Arun: Because none of this hasn’t stopped, putting it very bluntly. Issues like the ones seen in the play not only in schools, everywhere else, are perhaps even more relevant today and I think that’s why it draws people in to watch it.

I think it deals with the issues in a comedic, witty, fast paced, youthful portrayal, which makes the audience feel like it isn’t shoved down their throat.

Which part of the rehearsal process or production are you enjoying and most excited about?

James: We have already really connected as a group and we have a lot of banter going… we’re a tight group and you just know that’s going to that’s going to get stronger, so I think for me this is a really exciting part.

Joe: I think finding the fun on stage will be easy because it is fun and natural being around these guys, everyone’s just clicked really well, and I think it’ll be great by the time it actually gets to the stage.

How do you think the audiences will feel about the show and why should they buy a ticket?

Dominic: The relationship between the boys and Hector is so much of what the play focuses on, and watching that story play out in 2020, we’re more aware of issues, it’s even more prevalent in society and of course how we approach issues like that.

Adonis: It’s simply a brilliant play. Its just incredible, the writing is exceptional, anyone who has read it, seen it, or heard it comes out saying how fantastic it is!

Rehearsals are underway at Wolverhampton Grand for The History Boys

The History Boys is at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from February 7 to 22. Tickets can be bought online at grandtheatre.co.uk, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or in person at the Box Office.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.