History Boys - Wolverhampton Grand

[lewis]

This looks promising! About time this was revived, although I didn't know Wolverhampton Grand were in the business of producing their own shows...

Trailer:


"Wolverhampton Grand Theatre continues its reputation for producing quality drama with a new production of Alan Bennett’s classroom comedy, THE HISTORY BOYS from 7 - 22 February 2020. Tickets bit.ly/TheHistoryBoysWolves

An unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. A maverick English teacher at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher and a headmaster obsessed with results… In Alan Bennett’s classic play, staff room rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence provoke insistent questions about history and how you teach it; about education and its purpose.

Ian Redford (Coronation Street, EastEnders) will play Hector, Jeffrey Holland (Brassed Off, Hi-de-Hi!) as Headmaster, Victoria Carling (The 4 O’clock Club, Coronation Street) as Mrs Lintott and Lee Comley (Years And Years) as Irwin.

The cast is completed by Thomas Grant as Posner, Jordan Scowen as Dakin, Frazer Hadfield as Scripps, Joe Wiltshire Smith as Rudge, James Schofield as Lockwood, Arun Bassi as Akthar, Dominic Treacy as Timms and Adonis Jenieco as Crowther.

THE HISTORY BOYS will be directed by Jack Ryder, known for his acting roles in EastEnders and Holby City, he most recently directed Tim Firth’s The Band, which became the fastest selling tour of all time before transferring to Theatre Royal Haymarket."

[lewis]

Rumours this is going to tour!

[cherokee]

It'll be interesting to see how this has dated. We live in a slightly different world since this debuted. Bennett's subtext seems to be: "A little light sexual assault doesn't do teenagers any harm..."

Also, looking at the cast, isn't Dakin supposed to be the sexy one? It was Dominic Cooper in the original cast, followed by Ben Barnes. No offence to the lad in this, but Posner looks much prettier!

[Jan]

Jan 22, 2020 8:57:24 GMT cherokee said:

It'll be interesting to see how this has dated. We live in a slightly different world since this debuted. Bennett's subtext seems to be: "A little light sexual assault doesn't do teenagers any harm..."

That's exactly his subtext and that's exactly what he personally believes (based on his diary entries supportive of Jonathan King). Interesting to see whether in the current climate anyone calls him out on this. 

[learfan]

Jan 22, 2020 9:09:13 GMT Jan said:

Jan 22, 2020 8:57:24 GMT cherokee said:

It'll be interesting to see how this has dated. We live in a slightly different world since this debuted. Bennett's subtext seems to be: "A little light sexual assault doesn't do teenagers any harm..."

That's exactly his subtext and that's exactly what he personally believes (based on his diary entries supportive of Jonathan King). Interesting to see whether in the current climate anyone calls him out on this. 

Indeed, im surprised this is being revived, it seems to belong to a different era.

[Deleted]

Except the boys are in control, they know exactly what he is doing and what will happen if they get on the bike, he is a source of pity. But he is also an incredible teacher that can help them advance, it raises lots of questions. Youre talking as if child molestation was acceptable when the play first came out. it's no different except the rise of social media and everyone having a vocal opinion. And, speaking from personal experience, not everyone is traumatised by these kind of experiences. Does it make it right? of course not, but they are sixth formers so are 17 or 18, and teenagers are more sexually aware than I think some realise. You can go into many gay bars and clubs and be groped without consent quite easily, yet somehow that seems to get a pass.

[Jan]

Here’s the quote:

“A shoddy programme about the conviction of Jonathan King for offences against young men dating back twenty-five years and more. While it features some of the police involved, it manages not to ask the pertinent question: if these 15-year-old boys had been 15-year-old girls and romping round in Rolls-Royces even more famous than those of Jonathan King, the Beatles’, say, or the Rolling Stones’, would the police have been quite so zealous in trawling for the supposed victims from a quarter of a century ago? King does himself no favours but I prefer his defiance and want of remorse to the odiously caring voice of the man who presents the programme. As it is, a succession of sad middle-aged men are encouraged to blame their failure in life on these ancient wanks, a service for which the state will now reward them far more munificently than King ever did.“

[Dr Tom]

Thought this was very good this afternoon, arguably the best of Bennett’s plays. Yes, it’s a few years old now and set in a distant era, but still has the power to shock as the gasps from the (not sold out) audience attested.

I saw the original production (but not with the original cast) as well as the more recent tour (Selladoor?) and I’d rate this above the latter. A simple set, big screen in the background (playing the end of one of the films referenced in the play when the audience arrived), good acting. Only set design flaw was the classrooms set blocked off a large part of the screen for the filmed sequences. I was sat on the front row so this was perhaps designed to work better for people sat further back.

The guy sat next to me was with his mum and looked very uncomfortable for some parts.

I liked all the lead performances. In the flesh, Jordan Scowen, who plays Dakin, is indeed good looking. I also liked Fraser Hadfield as Scripps, who was recently in The Girls tour.

A pleasant surprise to see Thomas Grant as Posner, better known to me at least as Peter Summerfield, son of former Dr Who companion Bernice Summerfield in Big Finish dramas. He is the shorter, younger looking, confidence lacking Posner you’d expect.

As I said, strong performances all around.

I think there are ticket deals. I paid more than I would have done had I waited, but this was worth it. Running time of 2 hours 40 minutes. Worth a trip.