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The History Boys

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The History Boys

By: Alan Bennett
Narrated by: Clive Merrison, Frances de la Tour, Full Cast, Richard Griffiths
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About this listen

 After a sell-out national tour and an extended stage run, Alan Bennett’s phenomenally successful play transferred to BBC Radio 3, with Richard Griffiths, Clive Merrison and Frances de la Tour starring as part of the National Theatre cast. At a boys’ grammar school in Sheffield, eight boys are being coached for the Oxbridge entrance exams. It is the mid-eighties, and the main concern of the unruly bunch of bright sixth-formers is getting out, starting university – and starting life. At the heart of The History Boys are four characters, each with contrasting outlooks on teaching and school: Hector, an eccentric English teacher with no interest in exams; Irwin, a young supply teacher who sees history as ‘entertainment’; Mrs Lintott, a traditionalist, who teaches ‘history, not histrionics’; and a Headmaster obsessed with results. Described as ‘the richest play Bennett has ever written’ (Financial Times), staff-room rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence collide in an intensely moving and thought-provoking play. Winner of the Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle and South Bank Show Awards for Best New Play. ‘A superb, life-enhancing play’ – Guardian.©2005 Alan Bennett; (P)2006 BBC Audiobooks Ltd. Drama & Plays Entertainment & Performing Arts European Literature & Fiction World Literature Theatre Entertainment Funny

Critic reviews

Intensely moving as well as thought-provoking and funny
Alan Bennett's brilliant, linguists ear for language makes this play a true delight, echoing in the mind long after the talking has ceased
All stars
Most relevant
So good!! This is at least the second time of listening. The cast in the audio recording are the London west end cast... Spook good :)

Such a good cast!

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This has been adapted really well as a radio production especially as it features the original cast from the theatre production.

Brilliant

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Loved it! Saw the film first so was able to picture the performers. Highlly recommended.

Great performance

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I've loved this play since I first saw it in the west end many years ago, and I still adore every moment.
Richard Griffiths is of course the (much-missed) star, but the rest of the cast are phenomenal. the likes of Frances de la Tour, Dominic Cooper, Russell Tovey and James Corden are fantastic too naturally, but it is Jamie Parker (Scipps) and Samuel Barnett (Posner) who are always the highlight for me.
The film version still retains more sparkle than the audio drama, but I still laugh and cry at this, and want to re-listen almost immediately.
I do wish Audible would have the cast published on the title page however.

one of my favourite plays, and favourite casts

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What made the experience of listening to The History Boys (Dramatised) the most enjoyable?

Being narrated by several people

What was one of the most memorable moments of The History Boys (Dramatised)?

The young lad singing

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Several narrators added to the range of voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, not one to put down

Great Fun, with a twist

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