Angie Johnson witnesses some strong performances in Alan Bennett's hit drama

This much-loved play by Alan Bennett is a perfect choice for a student theatre company to perform, particularly an Oxford one. It crossed my mind while watching the preview performance of Pluto Productions’ latest show that it can’t have been that long since most of the company had themselves been at school preparing for their own Oxford interviews. This gave the production an unforced veracity that was striking.

It’s ten years since The History Boys opened at the National Theatre. It went on to win a plethora of awards and was adapted into a successful film.

Drawn from Bennett’s own experiences (he was at Leeds Modern Grammar School before coming up to Exeter College to read History) it is a funny and poignant play and this production really does his brilliant script proud.

Set in the 1980s at a Sheffield Grammar School where ambitious headmaster, Felix, is very keen to gain kudos for the school and himself, he recruits Irwin, a contract teacher, to prepare a group of potential Oxbridge candidates for entrance exams and interviews. Barnaby Fishwick is a wonderfully unctuous Felix, while Harley Viveash captures the smarmy and disingenuous undertones of Irwin’s character.

The unlikely hero of the play is Hector — a teacher who believes in knowledge for its own sake. He is extremely unconventional — definitely not the sort of tutor that Michael Gove would approve of. Benedict Morrison is marvellous as Hector, lighting up the stage with his every appearance. It’s not an easy role to play — in addition to his original teaching methods the lovable Hector’s tragic flaw is a proclivity to fondle the young men.

There are also strong performances from the pupils, in particular Luke Rollason as the vulnerable Posner, Tommy Siman as heartthrob Dakin, and Nathan Ellis as Scripps (whose piano accompaniments to the classroom shenanigans are skilful). Those who have the smaller roles still made them count, making the most of their interpolations and delivering very stirring a cappela singing.

Director James Lorenz paces the show perfectly, showing a real understanding of the interplay between humour and pathos, while designers Nathan Stazicker and Rosie Thomas make the most of the Playhouse stage with a bold yet timeless set that draws the audience into the action.

A strong production of a modern classic, The History Boys is well worth seeing.

The History Boys
Oxford Playhouse
Until Saturday, May 3
Tickets: 01865 305305 oxfordplayhouse.com