THE HISTORY BOYS to return to the West End

Written by Alan Bennett, The History Boys is set at an all-boys grammar school in Sheffield in the 1980s, tracking the course of eight schoolboys as they navigate sex, school politics and their teachers’ intellectual battle of wills. Through their stories, it explores sexuality, adolescence and the nature of history, as well as the value of education in the changing face of Britain.

The play had its world premiere at the National Theatre in 2004 before transferring to the West End and Broadway, winning three Olivier Awards and six Tony Awards and launching the careers of its young cast, including James Corden, Russell Tovey and Dominic Cooper. It was also turned into a film in 2006. In 2013, The History Boys was voted Britain's favourite play.

Original director Nicholas Hytner (The Standard of Living, One Man, Two Guvnors, GIANT) and set designer Bob Crowley (The Standard of Living, GIANT, The Inheritance) now reunite to bring this seminal production to the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a limited 16-week season. Casting will be announced in January 2027. As with the original production, Hytner hopes to cast actors at the start of their careers.

Producers Brian & Dayna Lee said, "Bennett’s sharp, funny and deeply moving exploration of institutional culture, class and education feels as timely as ever. We can’t wait to share this remarkable production with a whole new generation."

Hytner also spoke of the play's timeliness, particularly its themes of education, history, and the value of literature, in light of a "terminal" decline in humanities subjects in state schools, particularly as the government undertakes a major revision of the national curriculum.

The History Boys will play at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from Saturday 10 April to Sunday 24 July with opening night on Monday 19 April.

The History Boys Tickets