Introduction

Bennett: The History Boys

In this course Professor John McRae (University of Nottingham) explores Alan Bennett’s The History Boys (2004). In the first lecture, we provide a broad introduction to the social, historical and cultural context of the play, focusing in particular on the 2004 National Theatre production and the 2006 film. In the twenty-one lectures that follow, we read through the play scene by scene, providing close reading and analysis.

Note: Page numbers in these lectures refer to the Faber edition of the play. Students using a different version of the play may encounter slight differences in page numbering.

Introduction

In this lecture we provide a broad introduction to The History Boys, focusing in particular on: (i) the 2004 National Theatre production of the play and the 2006 film directed by Nicholas Hytner; (ii) the meaning of the word ‘education’; (iii) the character of Hector; (iv) the nostalgia of the play, looking back at a kind of school that no loner exists – and perhaps never existed; (v) the character of Mrs Lintott and her view of history (‘History is women following behind with the bucket’); and (vi) the themes of authority and subversion in the play.