It’s hard to believe two decades have passed since the late, great Richard Griffiths first made his motorbike gear-clad entrance onto the National Theatre’s Lyttleton stage as beloved, but problematic, schoolmaster Hector.
In that time, two casts of Altrincham Garrick Playhouse History Boys have sat the Oxford and Cambridge entrance exam. Now, to mark the play’s 20-year anniversary, a third is having a go.
The appeal of Alan Bennett’s classroom classic is as enduring as the man himself. A true national treasure. This solid production is a good example why.
In a northern 1980s sixth form, a set of schoolboys are celebrating passing their A Level exams. The eight have returned, at least in the mind of English and General Studies tutor Hector (Ivor Farley), to resume their pursuit of knowledge.
The boys, and the school’s insufferable Headmaster (William Teller), have other ideas. For them, the hallowed halls of our ancient universities are viewed as the destination to strive for. Hector, on the other hand, reminds them there is “a world elsewhere”.
Enter supply teacher Irwin (Ben Walsh). Not much older than the boys he is coaching, Irwin opens their eyes to a different approach. To education and learning, but also to history and truth.
The characters get to grips with themes of hope, failure, class, gender, sex and sexuality.
Bennett’s script is as clever and witty as ever but requires careful handling. We are in good hands with this accomplished cast. The lines land.
Mandy Cooke’s clever, two-level set design allows for both classroom and corridor scenes to run into each other without the need for cumbersome changes. Changes punctuated nicely with occasional bursts of Edith Piaf and Gracie Fields, courtesy of the impressive Myles Ryan as Posner.
The action flows fairly nicely, albeit a little slowly. The first half especially could probably benefit from an injection of pace or energy.
As audiences have come to expect from the Garrick Playhouse, this is an exceptionally well cast production. The boys, in particular, are all individual and brilliantly believable.
Martin Fisher Jr. has Dakin’s cocky, yet naïve, swagger down to a tee. As Timms, Luke Grewer is endearingly hilarious. The aforementioned Ryan is suitably heartbreaking as lovelorn and lost Posner.
Among the teaching staff, Irwin is imbued with depth by the talented Ben Walsh. He takes his character on a real journey across the show’s running time.
As Hector, Farley has the required ‘twinkle’ but is perhaps missing some of the intense sadness behind the eyes built up over many decades.
Bennett saves many of his best lines for the sole female character in this play: Mrs Lintott. Lindsey Barker is great but could afford to amp up the world-weary sarcasm in delivery.
Teller is clearly having a fantastic time playing the villain of the piece.
At its best, History Boys is thought provoking and challenging. This production is just that. In the second half, with the story and characters well established, the action is gripping and engaging as it builds to an emotional gut punch finale.
Much has been made about whether Bennett’s script condones sexual harassment. For the most part, this is a distraction.
Hector is largely pitied, not celebrated. However, one of the play’s final lines about his kind of teaching being “the only education worth having” is going to have to be tackled at some stage.
A problem for another day. Audiences still crave an accomplished History Boys production. The Garrick Playhouse have, once again, delivered.
Playing until 21st September 2024. Tickets and more information can be found here: https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/shows/boys.
Reviewer: Peter Ruddick
Reviewed: 16th September 2024
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 4 out of 5.
