8:00am Friday 23rd July 2010
The Courtyard’s thriving Youth Theatre’s Seniors take to the stage next week in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys.
Set in Sheffield in 1983, eight grammar school boys – an unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university – have been selected to take the Oxbridge entrance exam.
The play is directed by The Courtyard’s education officer and youth theatre leader David Durant who, since moving to Hereford from London in 2009, has already directed the Youth Theatre in several short plays. “In directing this piece, what struck me the most is how infrequently the school is actually mentioned, yet that is why all the characters are there.
“The vision for our production has come largely from this, with the theme of the school being an empty shell in which the lives of the characters take place. This has allowed us the freedom to focus on the performance of the cast giving them the opportunity to shine in what I believe is a wonderful take on Bennett’s play.”
The Courtyard’s production of The History Boys has also been given an additional boost by their sponsor – allpay.
“As one of Herefordshire's leading employers, we like to be involved in all areas of the community,” says marketing communications manager at allpay Rebecca White, “and by sponsoring the The History Boys, we can play a part in supporting the arts in Herefordshire.”
The History Boys runs from Thursday, July 29, to Saturday, July 31, at 7.30pm.
To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk.
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