There are some things in life that everybody likes: Kylie Minogue, toast, getting a new Ipod, and the National Theatre’s cash cow production of The History Boys at Wyndham’s Theatre to name but a few. Being derogatory about Alan Bennett’s play is like cussing the Queen Mother: you just don’t do it.
Since 2004, when it opened at the Lyttleton, Nicholas Hytner’s production has been rampaging back and forth across the Atlantic like a crazed carbon junky stuffing awards galore into its bulging swag bag.
Fortunately there is no reason to break the taboo: everything still works in 2008. The dialogue is pointed and witty, the acting stylish and assured and the multimedia set effective and economical. Desmond Barrit is by no means a pale shadow of Richard Griffiths as the doomed Hector and Tim Delap plays Mr Irwin the history teacher with real pathos. The ‘boys’ themselves achieve all the ham-fisted careless charm of 18 year-olds with everything to look forward to as they study for Oxbridge and their teachers do battle for their souls.
The play is set in the 80s and, by today’s hysterical lynch mob standards, the boys’ glib attitude to having their balls cupped by their teacher while riding pillion at 50mph on a Harley is shocking. Shocking until it becomes clear that this act of violation encapsulates the whole point of the play: it is a homage to youth. Hector literally cannot keep his eyes off his star pupil because he has the only thing worth having.
The fulcrum moment in life is the realisation that the best isn’t yet to come and the cruellest irony is that you don’t see it until it’s already passed. That is why everybody likes The History Boys, it reminds you what it was like when your mistakes and regrets hadn’t happened yet. Not a bad frame of mind to be in for a new year.
The History Boys runs at Wyndham’s Theatre, in London, until 26 April 2008. Bookings can be made through the National Theatre.
