CHILDREN’S THEATRE PARTNERSHIP AND ROSE THEATRE
PRESENT THE 2026 UK TOUR OF ONJALI Q. RAUF’S
THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS
ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY NICK AHAD
After delighting audiences across the country in 2024, The Boy at the Back of the Class, a celebration of friendship, kindness and compassion, is back. Following a two-week run at Rose Theatre, from 6-22 February 2026, Nick Ahmad’s critically and publicly acclaimed adaptation of Onjali Q. Raúf’s award-winning and best-selling novel will tour the UK through to 23 May. The production will once again be directed by The Stage Debut Award-winner, Monique Touko. There will be a national press night on Wednesday 11 February at Rose Theatre.
There used to be an empty chair at the back of the class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He’s nine years old (just like me), but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets – not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!
After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmet’s classmates have ‘The Greatest Idea in the World’ – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. An unexpected and often hilarious adventure follows, all topped off with a terrific twist.
Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home.
The cast is to be announced.
Hedda Beeby of Children’s Touring Partnership said, “Being in an audience of young people on the 2024 tour was a joyful and enriching experience. The story truly touches and connects with young lives. Thanks to support from the Arts Council of England, we are delighted to have the opportunity to take this production to young people around the UK once more.”
Rose Artistic Director Christopher Haydon said, “We are thrilled to be bringing this heartfelt and still highly relevant story back to our stage and theatres across the UK with Children’s Theatre Partnership. Writer Nick Ahad and director Monique Touko have brilliantly captured the wild ride of Onjali Raúf’s book and brought so much heart and passion to this production. I’m eager for new audiences to experience this lovely and inspiring story of inclusion, compassion and kindness.”
The creative team includes Monique Touko (Director), Lily Arnold (Set & Costume Designer), Ryan Day (Lighting Designer), Giles Thomas (Composer & Sound Designer), Kloé Dean (Movement Director) and Sophie Parrott CDG (Casting Director).
Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2019
Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019
Age Guidance: 7+
theboyatthebackoftheclass.co.uk
Instagram and Facebook: @BoyAtBackPlay
TOUR SCHEDULE
25-28 February Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 024 7655 3055
belgrade.co.uk on sale soon
15-18 April Lowry, Salford 0161 876 2000
www.thelowry.com on sale 27 June
28 April – 2 May Hall for Cornwall, Truro 01872 262 466
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk on sale 14 July
5-9 May Blackpool Grand Theatre 01253 290190
blackpoolgrand.co.uk on sale soon
11-16 May New Theatre, Cardiff 0343 310 0041
newtheatrecardiff.co.uk on sale 27 June
19-23 May Alhambra Theatre, Bradford 01274 432000
bradford-theatres.co.uk on sale 21 July
More dates to be added.