The History Boys (0th week)
“These are clearly very talented actors but it just felt like there was something missing in their first performance of such a rich and complex play. Conviction perhaps…?” Liv Edwards
“The production let down the script’s potential, for passionate it was not. I did not particularly engage with any of the characters, although Posner, played by Joe Harrison, tugged at my heartstrings a bit.” Imogen Sarre
The History Boys
Review by Liv Edwards
As someone who has never seen a production of The History Boys, read the script or even seen the film, the play itself was everything I had expected it would be and, to throw in a cliché in my first line, much much more. More emotionally wrought, more endearingly funny, more shiveringly philosophical. A play so well written clearly needs to be approached by directors and cast carefully. I certainly think that Simon Tavener’s production showed plenty of signs of the TLC necessary to stage a play of this magnitude.
The set has been really carefully thought through to make the most of the space in the OFS, the clutter of desks and chairs and school bumf never got in the way of the performers. On top of this, the stage directions throughout the performance were impeccable. There were intense duologues both comical like those between Mr Armstrong and Mrs Lintott, and tragic like those between Irwin and Hector. There was also some really effective ensemble work like the slapstick role-playing in Hector’s classes that gave us glimpses into the sparks of brilliance that should have warmed the whole play.
There was something hesitant about the play’s beginning. The rabble of boys who filed into the classroom seemed to barely fill their desk space, creating an atmosphere like the subdued beginning of a dress rehearsal. After such a start however, there were memorable moments when the stage buzzed with the charisma of the well cast schoolboys and Posner’s solo songs beautifully revealed the anxieties below the surface of his character. But, along with most of the cast members, Dakin’s swagger and Hector’s comic timing found its feet only after the interval.
All of the cast did gain momentum as the play progressed, transforming Bennett’s characters from dramatic constructs into people; but it wasn’t quite enough to make me forget the production’s whisper of a start or ignore the lulls of energy that dampened the play’s impact. These are clearly very talented actors but it just felt like there was something missing in their first performance of such a rich and complex play. Conviction perhaps…?
I have no doubt that as the first amateur production on in Oxford – and in Freshers’ Week at that – as the week progresses the actors’ self-confidence will increase and so will this production’s momentum. Go and see this play if you can, you may find yourself re-inspired and invigorated just in time for another term here of ‘thinking outside the box’.
The History Boys
Review by Imogen Sarre
I had high hopes for the Oxford Triptych Theatre’s production of The History Boys. Firstly, the OFS was heaving, the audience a mix of middle aged couples and rowdy teenagers, reflecting the diverse groups of people Bennett’s play attracts. Then, the programme presents the cast members as fairly accomplished actors with a long string of roles to their name. Performing in 0th week, their dedication and organisation had already impressed me, and their choice of play was something else in their favour. Staging it in this city is especially apt: it is about the Oxbridge application process, how to get in and why to go. Furthermore, The History Boys has been ground-breaking, challenging young people’s attitudes to British theatre. The script is intellectually astute, questioning our exam-driven educational systems, and has a fair bit of homosexuality and paedophilic ‘fondling of balls’ thrown in for kicks. It is a beautifully crafted play and can be utterly mesmerising.
The production let down the script’s potential, for passionate it was not. I did not particularly engage with any of the characters, although Posner, played by Joe Harrison, tugged at my heartstrings a bit. That the performance was good as a whole, however, I will not deny. The four main boys, Posner, Dakin, Scripps and Rudge held it all together, interacting naturally and energetically in well choreographed movements. Their familiarity with each other and in the classroom was clear by their behaviour: they were never riveted by their teacher’s words but clearly liked and respected him. Their characters were nicely developed and they and their high-spirited banter were responsible for the moments of real comedy. Highlights were the battle metaphor that Dakin employs to discuss his sexual advances and ‘prolonged campaign’ with the lovely Fiona; the rowdy French lesson set in a brothel; and the boys’ acting of Brief Encounter. There was good delivery of Bennett’s easily quotable lines, which are very much like the ‘gobbets’ Hector hates so much, as well as a sensitive recital of all poetry quotations.
Looking at the actors as individuals, Harrison dominated the show. He achieved just the right mixture of the unconfident and the dramatic in his portrayal of the gay Posner, and the musical interludes showed off his singing abilities. In contrast, Simon Tavener’s portrayal of Hector did not emphasise the character’s endearingly vivacious and enigmatic nature nearly enough. This Hector was definitely no Jean Brodie. A particularly weak moment was when he broke down in tears in front of the boys: it was not credible, and exposed how little emotional attachment I felt towards his character. Most of all though, the performance was let down by the Headmaster’s nervous over acting and highly pitched voice. All subtleties of character were lost, transforming him into the ridiculous, quite out of keeping with the naturalistic tone employed by the rest of the cast.
Despite disjointed parts in the production, partly caused by the slow light changes, this play did work. Despite all criticisms made, Alan Bennett’s consummate skill was shown. As the play itself says: ‘You can’t explain away the poetry. Art wins in the end.’
(No Ratings Yet)
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I’m appalled at the inaccuracy and mistakes contained in the 2 reviews above. Firstly, it was NOT a ’student’ production. Also, if you have “never seen a production of The History Boys, read the script or even seen the film”, how could it possibly be everything you expected?! If you are going to quote from a play, at least try to get the quote correct – the “Gibbets” as you quoted, were actually “Gobbits” (perhaps you ought to learn to proof-read your comments and check them for correctness before posting them on your web pages!). Anyone who saw this production (and I did – twice!) will agree it was well produced and directed. I have read other reviews of this play which have said so (one review in particular compared it to the original ‘National’ production) – all agreed that character portrayals were good: for example: “All of the significant parts are well-played, with the three teachers and the comically odious headmaster of particular note”. You could do worse than read some of them, to pick up some tips on how to review stage productions. If I were a student, I would give your web site a wide berth. I would prefer to read the more professional reviews of stage productions which are likey to more accurately report what actually happens.
Dear Pete,
Thank you very much for your response; any constructive criticism is welcome. We have edited the inaccuracies in our reviews and apologise for them and any misunderstandings they may have led to.
Theatre is about debate and watching any play, or indeed reading any form of literature, always engenders disagreement. The opinions set forth in our reviews were subjective interpretations of the production we saw last Tuesday night, but the online comment section is designed to give a more representative view of people’s responses to the play. If other people agree or disagree, they are welcome to put forth their point of view.
Quite so.
But as you can see, there are no other comments, which indicates to me that you actually have very few people bothering to read your drivel.
I’m afraid I missed this production of ‘The History Boys’, but am moved to comment on another matter.
I’d like to take the chance to disagree in the strongest possible terms with Pete’s suggestion that students shouldn’t use this website: but to say that I’m very glad that Pete posted a comment. As Oxford University Drama Officer, I’d like to endorse this site as a great chance for students to interact, to argue, and to think about theatre. A regular source of interactive first night reviews could be invaluable to Oxford drama as a stimulus to new ideas and responses to theatre: this site can provide that. I hope people will see this thread of comments as the reason that the Oxford Theatre Review should be essential reading: people are talking about plays! And the more we talk and think about what goes on in Oxford, the more thoughtful and considered and interesting our productions will become. I think that has to be a good thing, and will keep reading.
I agree Barney, as you say, dicussion about local drama is a good thing. However, I disagreed with the original review on the basis that it was factually incorrect and mis-quoted (which, incidentally, Imogen has decided to go back to her original posting and correct it – thus disabling others from seeing her mis-quotes). I see you are also guilty of mis-quoting: if you read my original statement, you will see that I never suggested (quote) “students shouldn’t use this website”, I merely stated that if I were a student, which I’m not, I would probably not return to this site, due to the rather poor skills in reviewing the play. You may disagree in the strongest possible terms, but it is my opinion and I am entitled to it!
I have seen several reviews of this production, and all commented on the professionalism and competency of the Director, Cast & Crew. If I had read Imogen’s and the other (un-named!) review before buying tickets, I may not have bothered to go at all, and may have missed out on something good, which it was.
Not only are you entitled to your opinion, Pete, it’s great you put it forward – I’m only sorry I can’t talk in an informed way about the production in question. I hope we’ll be able to interact in future weeks over something I’ve seen!
PianoTrade…
[...] Good piano performance. Thanks heaps for this!… if anyone else has anything it would be much appreciated. Great website http://www.en.Grand-Pianos.org Enjoy!…
I had never seen, heard or read The History Boys before, and was a complete virgin to the play, not preparing myself for any of it.
I went on the last night of the production, front row, and I have to admit, was glued to the action on stage. I believe that it was well worth the money spent on tickets. The acting was superb and the story telling flowed beautifully. The cast’s interaction with each other seemed genuine, but I do agree, when the teacher breaks down in front of his students, it didn’t feel genuine at all, the only forced bit of acting I could see. I do not make a habit of reviewing plays that I have seen, but I believe praise for the cast is justified. I wonder if those who write reviews on here ever contemplate if the actors themselves will read the words written. Constructive criticism is as it says on the tin. Criticism for the sake of criticism is just rude.
I hope to see all from the play again. They have promising futures.
virtual villagers a new home crack
I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.
wadon17k
“…it is my opinion and I am entitled to it!” I think Pete Davies should listen more carefully to his own statements. I don’t doubt that Imogen Sarre’s and Liv Edwards’s reviews contained inaccuracies and misquotes, (especially because one claimed to not having encountered the script before!) but quite frankly it just sounds as if you are condeming them both for having an opinion that greatly differs from yours; masked by the need to point out their ‘inaccuracies’. It’s fair enough that you want to correct anything that is recorded as factually wrong but there is no need to keep going over what you did and didn’t say or what you did and didn’t mean – quite simply it’s clear you took their comments personally! Reviews should be taken lightly, accepted as purely one person’s view and that’s all, end of! I believe this website is excellent for debate and opinion on local theatre. Oxford has an outstanding array of amateur and professional theatre and one and all should be entitled to voice their opinion good or bad whether it will affect other spectators going to see a production or not.
P.S. Well done to oxfordtheatrereview.com for approaching Pete Davies’s comments with such diplomacy and restraint! Contrary to what Pete has expressed I will continue to encourage other keen theatre goers to read and make comments on this website.
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