Stage Review - The History Boys
Photography by Matt Martin |
The argument here does not require decoding to understand both
sides of it: on one hand the always perceptive, Alan Bennett presents the
stuffy, conventionality of the school approach in regard to transferring knowledge
from teacher to pupil and he offsets this against the characterization of Hector
(Richard Hope). Hector is a teacher who is more nurturing and who is more
abstract in his approach to teaching.
Which is the better way for these boys? Which approach will
be deemed to be the most successful/beneficial for these individuals in the
long run? I’m not sure if the play argues either side effectively and I make my
intentions known straightaway, that it is the script alone that I am putting
under scrutiny in this review. I believe it was the script itself that was detrimental
to my overall enjoyment of this play. Perhaps it was simply a case of my
expectations being too high.
The script is not meant to present realism, and so with this
new found (after the event) knowledge; I am decidedly more forgiving. Nevertheless,
this is a case of proverbial speaking on the subject of education and on life’s
reflection. The script is wordy and the cast members really get a grip on reams
and reams of dialogue, but this word overload made my eye lids feel mighty
heavy at times. The swearing helped to lift them however, also The 80’s sound bites
being a welcome injection, as was the piano playing accompanying Steven Roberts
(marking his stage debut with History Boys) when doing his ‘turns’ in the role
of student, Posner.
The message is designed to be radical, thought provoking and
humorous; not unlike teacher Hector’s lead in his unplanned lessons actually!
Yet the audience were strangely subdued last night. Admittedly, there are some
great lines, as you would expect, and laughter ripples did occur, but there are
elements that are meant to be mind expanding and inspirational; yet came across
as Bennett attempting to exercise a kind of prowess over us all through his own
creativity.
This is a play that was voted the Nation’s favourite in a
recent poll undertaken by the English Touring Theatre, and there is an element
of stereotypical characterization that remains relevant and so I see why the theme
is popular. Yet snobbery surrounding university placement and performance is rifer
than it was in Bennett’s university days and extends beyond applying for an
Oxbridge place. Also, to portray a teacher, who chooses to take an alternative
approach to his work, as eccentric, is somewhat predictable and other
outcomes are pretty predictable - so there is very little overall that
surprises you.
I have to mention too the heightened awareness of
safeguarding issues around children in recent years, especially those true life
cases where abuse has happened within institutions committed from people in a
position of trust, and this being featured in this play is more of a comedy squelcher than a comedy injector; so this thread of the storyline is simply not funny. Headmaster
(Christopher Ettridge) will quite rightfully have Hector’s cards marked over
this indiscretion, unfortunately this makes Hector’s ultimate sentimental ‘send
off’ seem out of place at the play’s end. We lack endearment for Hector and for
everyone else come to that. It is quite unusual to not have at least one
character that you are routeing for or who has won your affection.
I have expressed strong personal opinion here and I would
suggest keeping a sharp eye on published reviews to see how other critics view
it.
I attended press night at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on Tuesday 04 February. This review also appears at Remotegoat
I attended press night at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on Tuesday 04 February. This review also appears at Remotegoat
The cast of The History Boys Photography by Matt Martin |
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