They're top of the class

A COUPLE of years back this Alan Bennett take on the bright sparks of a Sheffield grammar school sixth form with aspirations of Oxbridge was voted the nation’s favourite play and in certain respects it’s not hard to fathom why.

He may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it can’t be denied that Bennett offers us lessons with his clinically amusing and witty way of picking over life’s myriad of colours and characters. He possesses that uncanny knack of making us both laugh and think.

The History Boys does this and much more with its considerable intellectual word-play, its complex characters and their flaws.

Just over a decade ago - when times were somewhat different - the 2004 film production was helping to launch the careers of James Corden and Dominic Cooper, to name but two of the original cast, and even though we are now more removed from the 1980s, when this play is set, it is a story still resonating with today.

The boys who are pinning their hopes on the history route to the university of their dreams are taken in hand, quite literally, by their eccentric English teacher, Hector, played with such finesse and style by Richard Hope who, it must be said, managed to ease from my mind the thought that this part could only ever be played by the late Richard Griffiths.

Hector’s take on ‘General Studies’ goes beyond the usual boundaries of education as he conducts English lessons in French, allows show songs to be performed and has side-bets with the boys as they act out classic film scenes. And his fumbling fingers also go beyond the limits when particular boys are chosen to ride pillion on his motor-bike, which is always a constant - hanging as it does above Libby Watson’s excellent functional classroom set.

In those now far off days what Operation Yewtree has recently revealed about the likes of Jimmy Savile and others was virtually brushed under the carpet - a time, according to director Kate Saxon, when ‘taking a blind eye was the norm’. Yet it was known to be wrong and the remedy should have been appropriate action.

Hector’s little indiscretions stretch no further and Hope’s warmth of performance ensures an enjoyable and conceivably sympathetic rapport not only with his class but also the audience for all his failings. That’s until new supply teacher Irwin (Mark Field) disrupts his unique methods and the camaraderie. He doesn’t own a motorbike but encourages risk-taking to the point of exaggeration, while stalling in owning up to his own little secret.

None of it should be taken at face value for as Saxon explains in her director’s note - “The play does not present realism. These boys are too erudite and witty, their take on sexuality likely too liberal for the time.” Which is a fair point and because of this she feels the play is able to take a microcosm of this time and place and allow us to see relevancies that stretch far beyond it.

This covers life, love and death and how we cope with the challenges on that well-worn route.

A strong and talented cast ensures some witty and wacky wanderings with vibrant offerings from Susan Twist’s history teacher Mrs Lintott and Christopher Ettridge’s fusspot of a headmaster, but it’s the occasionally unruly boys who go to the top of the class.

They are an exceptional ensemble who have obviously gelled splendidly during the course of their national tour.

Trying to spot any star of the future in their talented ranks, such as a new James Corden, is incredibly difficult - particularly in the challenging world that is showbiz. But it might be worth keeping an eye on one or two, especially Steven Roberts whose sensitive Posner marks his professional stage debut, while Alex Hope appears equally at home with his religious piano-playing Scripps.

Also worthy of mention is Kedar Williams-Stirling, already with a number of theatre, film and tv credits, whose full of confidence Dakin was completely commendable.

“History,” remarks one of the boys, “is just one thing after another.” It’s much the same for Bennett as he notches up his stage successes and while this one may not answer all the questions it raises it nevertheless offers an entertaining and educational insight into a world around us we are not always aware, or choose to be aware, of.