Voted the nation’s favourite play, Alan Bennett’s multi award-winning The History Boys will return in 2015, touring the UK in a major new production opening at Southend Theatre on Monday 26 January 2015. On sale now; full tour schedule attached.
Winner of over 30 major awards including the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best New Play, The History Boys is the story of a group of bright, funny and unruly sixth-formers in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. Their maverick English teacher is at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher, whilst their headmaster is obsessed with results and league tables. Staffroom rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence overflow, provoking insistent questions about history and how you teach it. Their A Levels may be over, but their true education is only just beginning. Widely hailed as one of the greatest theatrical events of the last decade, The History Boys is an hilariously funny and exceptionally moving play about the true purpose of education.
Alan Bennett's comic masterpiece was voted the nations favourite play in a recent national survey conducted by English Touring Theatre to celebrate their 21st birthday. English Touring Theatre are delighted to be able to support the winning play by giving away 100 pairs of free tickets to The History Boys throughout the 2015 tour. As part of their commitment to growing audiences and increasing access to regional theatre, applications are open to anyone who has never attending their local theatre before. For more information on how to apply, visit http://www.ett.org.uk/21-birthday/the-history-boys.
The History Boys premiered at the National Theatre in 2004 directed by Nicholas Hytner, and helped launch the careers of many of its original cast members including James Corden and Dominic Cooper. It went on to open on Broadway in 2006, with a film adaptation featuring the original stage cast released later that year. The History Boys also had two successful West End runs, playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre in 2007 and 2008, and has won countless awards including the Oliver Award for Best New Play, Tony Award for Best Play, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play and Evening Standard Award for Best Play.
Alan Bennett is one of the UK’s most celebrated playwrights and authors, and in a career that spans five decades has created many acclaimed works for theatre, television and film. His work for the stage includes People, Hymn and Cocktail Sticks, The Habit of Art, Talking Heads, The Madness of George III and Kafka’s Dick. Prior to his work as a playwright, Bennett enjoyed enormous success as a co-writer and performer of Beyond the Fringe, a comedy stage revue which played in the West End and on Broadway in the 1960s. At the 2005 Olivier Awards Bennett was awarded the Society Special Award for his contribution to theatre.
This brand new production for 2015 is presented by Sell a Door Theatre, whose recent productions include Avenue Q (2014 UK Tour), Spring Awakening (2011 UK Tour) and Seussical (West End).
The History Boys will be directed by Kate Saxon, whose credits include The Real Thing (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Far From The Madding Crowd (English Touring Theatre); Nine Parts of Desire (The Public, New York and The Wilma, Philadelphia – winner of 3 Barrymore awards in USA); and the World Premiere of The French Lieutenant’s Woman (Fulton Opera House, USA then British Premiere Tour). Kate has developed new work for The Royal Court, The Bush, Arcola, Hampstead Theatre and The Public, New York. Kate was Associate Director of Shared Experience from 2000 - 2012. For television, Kate directs Eastenders.
David Hutchinson, Artistic Director of Sell a Door Theatre said today: “We are delighted to be launching our 2015 season with the UK revival tour of the nation’s favourite play by one of Britain’s most cherished playwrights. Sell a Door prides itself on engaging young adults in live theatre, and our partnership with English Touring Theatre subsidising free tickets will allow hundreds of first time patrons to see this critically acclaimed play.”
Casting is to be announced.
TOUR SCHEDULE
MONDAY 26 – SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2015
PALACE THEATRE, SOUTHEND
TUESDAY 3 – SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2015
COVENTRY BELGRADE THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
MONDAY 9 - SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015
BRIGHTON THEATRE ROYAL
MONDAY 16 – SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2015
HULL NEW THEATRE
MONDAY 23 – SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2015
BIRMINGHAM ALEXANDRA THEATRE
TUESDAY 17 – SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2015
EDINBURGH KINGS THEATRE
MONDAY 23 – SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2015
NEW WOLSEY THEATRE, IPSWICH
ON SALE 18 OCTOBER
TUESDAY 31 MARCH – SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2015
CHELTENHAM EVERYMAN THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
TUESDAY 14 – SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015
BLACKPOOL GRAND THEATRE
WEDNESDAY 22 – SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2015
KINGS THEATRE, PORTSMOUTH
ON SALE SOON
MONDAY 27 APRIL – SATURDAY 2 MAY 2015
CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY
TUESDAY 5 – SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015
CREWE LYCEUM
ON SALE SOON
TUESDAY 12 – SATURDAY 16 MAY 2015
MILLENIUM FORUM, LONDONDERRY
TUESDAY 26 – SATURDAY 30 MAY 2015
EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE
MONDAY 1 – SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2015
SWINDON WYVERN THEATRE
MONDAY 8 – SATURDAY 13 JUNE 2015
YORK OPERA HOUSE
TUESDAY 30 JUNE – SATURDAY 4 JULY 2015
MALVERN THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
