The History Boys is set in Sheffield during Thatcher’s Britain.

The play revolves around a class of university-bound pupils, grappling to navigate their way through adolescence, while being taught by two very different teachers.

Hector, an inspirational, unconventional teacher believes knowledge and education come in all forms, aside from the written word.

Celebrating learning for the sake of learning, he refers to general studies as “a waste of time”.

Headmaster Felix Armstrong focuses on league tables.

He hires supply teacher Irwin – barely a graduate himself – to prep the brightest pupils for the most prestigious of institutions, Oxbridge.

Irwin’s factual teaching methods contradict Hector’s free-thinking philosophy, causing students to challenge everything they are told.

The boys quickly warm to Irwin, and the classroom talk soon turns to his perceived sexuality.

Felix instructs Hector and Irwin to teach lessons together. When students start debating issues in class using methodology from both teachers, Hector becomes deflated.

When Felix confronts Hector about “groping” students as they ride pillion on his motorcycle, a fact the boys just accept and often look forward to, Hector’s world begins to unravel.

Addressing issues of sexual identity, impropriety, hormonal yearnings and boundaries, Bennett pulls no punches, tackling subjects many of us may feel uncomfortable with.

Well presented by the cast, Bennett’s characters are believable and likeable. Kate Saxon’s thought-provoking production of The History Boys will leave you unwittingly exploring the emotions which have been stirred up by this classic play.

“Pass it on boys… that’s the game I wanted you to learn… pass it on”

Dawn Fletcher-Park