Reader Reviews
The History Boys (Wyndham's Theatre, West End)
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 | Revisiting The History Boys after 3 or 4 years is a welcome reminder of what an extraordinary play this is. For me, Desmond Barrit is the quintessential Hector, even better than Richard Griffiths, although I only saw him in the slightly disappointing film version. Barrit's Frankie Howerdesque flamboyance is perfect for the larger than life Hector, particularly set against the buttoned up Irwin. Elsewhere Elizabeth Bell and Tim Delap are exceptional as Dorothy and Irwin but David Mallinson is too buffoonish to be a wholly plausible headmaster. Daniel Fine is more effeminate than vulnerable as Posner and I have never really understood Dakin but the greatness of The History Boys lies in its' irrepressible humour, great sadness and the intellectual debate between learning and knowledge. One other niggle: when I sat the Oxbridge Entrance Exam in the 70s (like Irwin I failed miserably) it was in the first term of the Upper Sixth, before A-Levels not after. The History Boys is the best play of this century so far; why has nobody else reviewed this, go and see it soon before it finally disappears in April. - David Baxter | 06 Mar 08 |
