The History Boys

  • 8 years ago
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20160112 The History Boys 362In January, a cast and crew of Oundle School pupils from St Anthony House, under the direction of Upper Sixth former, Hugo Beazley (18), brought a production of The History Boys to the stage of the Stahl Theatre.

Freddie Wilson (17) commented, “Capturing the boisterous atmosphere in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, whilst also presenting the weighty and profound themes of the play requires a precise sense of balance. Hugo seemed undaunted by both the subtleties of the play’s tone, and the renowned reputation of the play and movie. The choice of play was particularly astute, allowing the characteristic playfulness of St Anthony boys to be expressed on stage, whilst also drawing upon parallels and opposites in our own lives.”

The History Boys is a comedy about education. The quick-witted intelligence of the boys, all of whom are Oxbridge candidates, is beautifully complemented with the anti-establishment Mr Hector, played by Adam Oliver (18). The fast-paced dialogue is at times funny, at times heart wrenching, but always beautifully written. The script, which focuses on the use and meaning of language and literature, has a striking craftsmanship which reflects its themes. Tackling issues such as homosexuality and paedophilia in a House play was ambitious, and the fact that the piece maintained its integrity reflects the maturity of the cast.

The thirteen actors represented a great range of experience, from Stahl Theatre veterans to new recruits. The resilience and foresight displayed by the cast was particularly impressive, with preparations beginning many weeks before production. Stage crew members, Lorne Inglis (15) and Joshua Davies (16), organised the staging under the watchful eye of Lauren King (17). Lily Tyler (17), recruited to play Mrs Lintott, and Sarah Boyle (17), a wonderfully suggestive secretary, must be lauded for their performances.

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