History in the making

Alan Bennett’s comedy The History Boys, being presented by Masquerade this weekend, is arguably one of his funniest and finest.

Set in a boys’ secondary school in the 1980s, it deals with the day-to-day trials and tribulations of a group of bright, funny teenage boys and the interplay with their teachers. The play is actually both very funny and – in places – extremely poignant as the various tensions and irritations of school life bubble to the surface.

Overseeing the proceedings is the figure of Felix, the ridiculously pompous and ambitious headmaster, who keeps one eye on his school and the other warily on the board of governors. In fact, he greets the young supply teacher Irwin – on Irwin’s first day at the school with the words: “I am thinking league tables. Want to see us up there with Manchester Grammar School, Haberdasher Askes and Leighton Park… or is that an open prison?” Factor in a female history teacher who has been there and done that, plus an elderly English master with decidedly eccentric teaching methods – and you have a disparate cast of characters tailor made for an absorbing evening in the theatre.

But above all else it is the boys that star in – what the critics have described as – Bennett’s best play to date. From the bright, promiscuous Dakin, through the academically challenged sporty Rudge, via Posner, who thinks he’s gay… and probably is; they form one of the most fascinating groups of adolescents ever to appear together on stage.

The piece is directed by English theatre director Andy Smith, aided and abetted by Masquerade’s founder Tony Bezzina. Mr Smith is a vastly experienced director, who is a past artistic director of both the Norwich Playhouse – and in recent years The Anna Scher Theatre. He brings his wealth of theatrical knowledge to this production, where his touch is both subtle and clear.

The plum role of Felix the headmaster is played by Colin Willis and in it he gives probably his finest performance since settling in Malta. His senior history teacher Mrs Lintott is Nanette Brimmer. In recent years Ms Brimmer has shaken off her principal boy in panto persona and has been cast in some much meatier roles, this is one of the best of them. The young supply teacher, Irwin who graduates to fame and fortune as a television personality is played by Malcolm Galea. The veteran English master Hector is Jon Rosser. The boys roles will be taken by James Muscat, Francesco Catania, Andre Agius, Paul Cuschieri, Joseph Zammit, Luje Farrugia, David Chircop and Alex Lewis.

• The History Boys is being staged at the Manoel Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets may be obtained from the booking office by phone on 2124 6389, by e-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or online: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.