Alan Bennett's The History Boys will return to the National Theatre's Lyttelton space before hitting Broadway. It will do so with a new cast, led by Desmond Barrit as Hector, Bruce Alexander as the Headmaster, Tobias Menzies as Irwin and Diane Fletcher as Mrs. Lintott.
The History Boys consists of an unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university, a maverick English teacher Barrit at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher Barrit. There is also a headmaster Alexander obsessed with results, and a history teacher Fletcher who thinks he's a fool. Staff room rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence provoke insistent questions about history and how one should teach it.
The History Boys, directed by Nicholas Hytner, previously ran at the Lyttelton from May 2004 to April 2005. The original company featured Richard Griffiths as Hector, Clive Merrison as the Headmaster, Stephen Campbell Moore as Irwin and Frances de la Tour as Mrs. Lintott. The piece garnered the Evening Standard, Critic's Circle and Olivier Awards for Best Play. A film version with the original National company is currently being shot in the U.K. The original company is expected to open the show on the Great White Way on April 23, 2006.
The recast version of The History Boys is playing the Lyttelton twice as part of a U.K. tour. It will first play there September 23 through September 28 before heading to Theatre Royal in Newcastle October 4-October 8, Theatre Royal in Plymouth October 11-October 15, The Lyceum in Sheffield October 18-October 22, the Theatre Royal in Norwich October 25-October 29, The Lowry in Salford November 1-November 5, New Victoria Theatre in Woking November 8-November 12, Theatre Royal in Glasgow November 15-November 19 and Milton Keynes Theatre November 22-November 26. The show then returns to the Lyttelton for a run December 2 through February 1, 2006. Simon Cox is directing the touring version. In addition to those stars previously mentioned, the cast will also include James Cartwright, Philip Correia, Marc Elliott, Jamie King, Tobias Menzies, Thomas Morrison, Matt Smith, Kenny Thompson and Steven Webb.
