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  • Running time 2 hours 55 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 14+

The History Boys - Tour Dates

Performance information is for guidance only. Check booking calendar for details.

Alan Bennett’s The History Boys is set for a 20th anniversary revival tour this year.

Alan Bennett’s brilliant modern classic, winner of 30 major awards, and voted The Nation’s Favourite Play in 2013, returns to the stage in a new production directed by Seán Linnen (Quiz, Chichester Festival Theatre, Queers, Old Vic).

Set against the backdrop of A-Level results day at Cutler’s Grammar School in 1980s Sheffield, The History Boys delves into the lives of eight spirited teenagers who aspire to secure spots at Oxford and Cambridge universities, and the teachers assisting them to do this.

This timely revival asks what is the purpose of education? And who is it for?

Alan Bennett is one of Britain’s best-loved writers, and 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.

The tour of The History Boys starts at Theatre Royal Bath, and includes playing London’s Richmond Theatre from 29 October to 2 November 2024.

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

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.

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Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of The History Boys?

Stars Simon Rouse as Hector, Milo Twomey as Headmaster, Gillian Bevanas Mrs. Lintott and Bill Milner as Irwin; and the students will be played by Archie Christoph-Allen as Dakin, Lewis Cornay as Posner, Teddy Hinde as Timms, Yazdan Qafouri as Scripps, Ned Costello as Rudge, Mahesh Parmar as Akthar, Tashinga Bepete as Crowther, Curtis Kemlo as Lockwood and Zrey Sholapurkar as ensemble.

Who are the creative team of The History Boys?

Written by Alan Bennett, Directed by Seán Linnen

Set and Costume Designer Grace Smart, Lighting Designer Ryan Day, Composer, Arranger & Sound Designer Russell Ditchfield, Movement Director Chi-San Howard, Casting Director Matilda James CDG, Musical Director Eamonn O’Dwyer, and Assistant Director Emily Oulton.

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Critics' reviews of The History Boys

"Lewis Cornay has the expressively elfin looks of a young Eddie Redmayne and the talent to match" - The Guardian

"Witty and accessible" - The Stage

"Alan Bennett’s quotably funny, Olivier-winning portrait of Sheffield grammar-school lads" - The Telegraph

"A modern masterpiece" - The Times

Frequently Asked Questions

The running time of The History Boys is 2 hours 55 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for The History Boys are: 14+
Yes, The History Boys has matinee performances on the following days:
No, sorry, The History Boys has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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