NEW DATES ADDED TO THE 2026 UK TOUR OF
THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS
INCLUDING SOUTHAMPTON, EDINBURGH, BRISTOL &
THE SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL
Children’s Theatre Partnership and Rose Theatre are delighted to announce new dates as part of the 2026 UK Tour of The Boy at the Back of the Class. The tour will now also play at Southampton’s Mayflower Studios, Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Nick Ahad’s critically and publicly acclaimed adaptation of Onjali Q. Raúf’s award-winning and best-selling novel is a celebration of friendship, kindness and compassion and will once again be directed by The Stage Debut Award-winner, Monique Touko. Following a two-week run at Rose Theatre, from 6-22 February 2026, the tour will run through to 23 May 2026.
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.
The creative team includes Monique Touko (Director), Amy Crighton (Co-Revival 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
6-22 February Rose Theatre, Kingston 020 8174 0090
www.rosetheatre.org
25-28 February Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 024 7655 3055
10-14 March Mayflower Studios, Southampton 02380 711811
19-21 March Festival Theatre, Edinburgh 0131 529 6000
24-28 March Eastbourne Devonshire Park Theatre 01323 412000
www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk on sale 31 October
31 March – 4 April Bristol Old Vic 0117 987 7877
7-12 April Queen Elizabeth Hall, London 020 3879 9555
southbankcentre.co.uk on sale 31 October
15-18 April Lowry, Salford 0161 876 2000
28 April – 2 May Hall for Cornwall, Truro 01872 262 466
5-9 May Blackpool Grand Theatre 01253 290190
12-16 May New Theatre, Cardiff 0343 310 0041
19-23 May Alhambra Theatre, Bradford 01274 432000