Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 5th October 2024
Reviewed by Steph Lott
5*****
From the moment the curtain rose at last night’s performance of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys at The Cambridge Arts Theatre, there was a palpable energy on stage. This was a fantastic production of Bennett’s witty and thought-provoking play, directed by Sean Linnen. The cast of young men, portraying a group of bright sixth formers preparing for their Oxbridge entrance exams, exuded a charm and vibrancy that immediately drew the audience into their world. The chemistry between the actors was evident, creating a believable portrayal of school camaraderie in the 1980s.
Yazdan Qafouri’s portrayal of Scripps was particularly noteworthy. His nuanced performance captured the character’s intelligence and introspection, providing a thoughtful counterpoint to the more boisterous personalities on stage. Qafouri’s delivery of Bennett’s razor-sharp dialogue was impeccable, and his moments at the piano added a lovely musical dimension to the production.
In his professional stage debut, Archie Christoph-Allen impressed as the charismatic and self-assured Dakin. Christoph-Allen brought a perfect blend of cockiness and vulnerability to the role, making Dakin’s journey of self-discovery both compelling and relatable. His scenes with Hector (played by Simon Rouse) and Irwin (played by Bill Milner), were particularly captivating.
Lewis Cornay’s Posner was a standout performance. Cornay beautifully captured Posner’s unrequited longing for Dakin, and his struggle with his sexuality, with a passionate delicacy on stage. His vocal performances were nothing short of spectacular, bringing a poignant beauty to the musical interludes that punctuate the play.
The set design by Grace Smart was both practical and evocative, effortlessly transforming from classroom to staffroom to various other locations. The creative scene changes, accompanied by music and movement, added a dynamic visual element that kept the pace lively and engaging.
The History Boys is a multi-dimensional piece of theatre about many things. It discusses education, and brilliantly highlights the contrast between the two teaching philosophies represented by Hector and Irwin. The tension between knowledge for its own sake and knowledge as a means to an end was beautifully described, leaving the audience to ponder these issues for themselves.
The play’s exploration of how history should be studied and interpreted felt particularly relevant in our current era of “alternative facts” and contested narratives. The boys’ clever and sometimes outrageous discussions of historical events were not only hilarious but also served as a pointed commentary on the malleability of historical narrative.
Alan Bennett’s script, with its perfect balance of humour and pathos, was given full justice by this talented cast. From laugh-out-loud moments to scenes of profound emotion, the performance took the audience on a rollercoaster ride of feelings. Bennett’s ability to make us laugh, cry, and think was on full display.
In conclusion, this production of The History Boys at The Cambridge Arts Theatre was a triumph. The combination of Bennett’s brilliant writing, Linnen’s inspired direction, Smart’s evocative design, and the extraordinary talent of the young cast resulted in a memorable evening of theatre. For anyone who loves a production that both entertains and challenges The History Boys is for you.