History Boys Faces Absences; Welcomes New Cast Members

The Broadway production of The History Boys will welcome some new cast members for limited stints in the coming months. Desmond Barrit, Maggie Steed and Malcolm Sinclair, who all appeared in the show at the National Theatre, will be featured on the Great White Way. Barrit will sub for 2006 Tony winner Richard Griffiths, who has a film commitment, for performances from July 18 through July 23. Steed and Sinclair will fill-in for 2006 Tony winner Frances de la Tour and Clive Merrison, respectively, for performances from July 12 through August 20.

Barrit appeared on Broadway in 1996 in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. A stage veteran, Steed is probably best known for playing Rita Moon in the long-running BBC series Shine On Harvey Moon. Sinclair was nominated for a 2002 Olivier Award for playing Major Giles Flack in Michael Grandage's production of Privates on Parade at the Donmar Warehouse.

Alan Bennett's The History Boys, winner of six Tony Awards, recently extended its run at the Broadhurst Theatre through October 1. Samuel Barnett, Dominic Cooper, Samuel Anderson, James Corden, Sacha Dhawan, Andrew Knott, Jamie Parker and Russell Tovey are expected to remain with the company its entire run.