Alan Bennett’s new, award-winning play as heard on BBC Radio 3 features the National Theatre cast.After a sell-out national tour and an extended stage run, Alan Bennett’s phenomenally successful play transfers to BBC Radio 3. Richard Griffiths, Clive Merrison and Frances de la Tour star as part of the National Theatre cast.At a boys’ grammar school in Sheffield, eight boys are being coached for the Oxbridge entrance exams. It is the mid-eighties, and the main concern of the unruly bunch of bright sixth-formers is getting out, starting university – and starting life.At the heart of ‘The History Boys’ are four characters, each with contrasting outlooks on teaching and school: Hector, an eccentric English teacher with no interest in exams; Irwin, a young supply teacher who sees history as ‘entertainment’; Mrs Lintott, a traditionalist, who teaches ‘history, not histrionics’; and a Headmaster obsessed with results.Described as ‘the richest play Bennett has ever written’ (Financial Times), staff-room rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence collide in an intensely moving and thought-provoking play.Winner of the Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle and South Bank Show Awards for Best New Play.‘A superb, life-enhancing play’ – Guardian.‘Intensely moving as well as thought-provoking and funny’ - Daily Telegraph.'Alan Bennett's brilliant, linguists ear for language makes this play a true delight, echoing in the mind long after the talking has ceased' - Good Book Guide.
Described by The Guardian as a life-enhancing play, Alan Bennett’s remarkably popular ‘The History Boys’ has enjoyed no end of success since it first premiered in London in 2004, including a national sell-out tour and extended stage run. Now this delightful production can be yours to own on CD audiobook as an award-winning BBC radio play, starring the National Theatre cast including Clive Merrison, Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour.
‘The History Boys’ groups four strong characters’ whose clashing educational ideologies collide in an intelligent and moving portrayal of life in an all-boys’ grammar school in the mid-eighties. There’s the eccentric Hector, an English teacher who rebukes the notion of exams. His principles do not sit well with the stern Headmaster, to whom results are the measure of everything. There’s also Mrs Lincott, whose traditional values are punctuated by the belief that one should teach ‘History, not histrionics’, in direct opposition to the vibrant style of the young supply teacher Irwin, who thinks that History should be entertaining.
This award-winning play is now yours to own on CD audiobook, or to download in MP3 format, so you can experience Alan Bennett’s witty and poignant portrayal of adolescence wherever and whenever suits you.
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