Last night I had the pleasure of being part of the audience at the debut performance of the latest Australian production of ‘The History Boys’ at the Sydney Opera House.  Directed by Jesse Peach, this production demonstrates the high calibre of Australian theatre and the quality of Alan Bennett’s script.

The cast is excellent.  John Wood stars as Hector and he is brilliantly supported by Heather Mitchell as Mrs Linnott, Paul Goddard as Head Master, James Mackay as Irwin.

The students are as follows:

• Dakin: Lindsay Farris 
• Scripps: Aaron Tsindos
• Crowther: Simon Brook McLachlan
• Lockwood: Caleb Alloway
• Arthur: James Elliott
• Posner:Matthew Backer
• Rudge: Gary Brun
• Timms: Matt Hardie

This stellar cast provided us with an beautiful production that was moving, funny and touching.  John Wood is excellent as eccentric teacher, Douglas Hector, who together with Mrs Linnott (Mitchell) and Mr Irwin (Mackay), is preparing the senior A Level class for the gruelling university entrance exams.  Headmaster (Goddard) wants the boys groomed for Oxford and Cambridge which is at odds with Hector’s opinions of these prestigious universities.  Goddard is suitable pompous in the role of Headmaster and Mackay is wonderful as Irwin

The younger actors are all excellent as well.  Farris is extraordinary as Dakin, while Backer shines as Posner.  Tsindos, McLachlan, Alloway, Elliot, Brun and Hardy bring Bennett’s characters to life in sterling performances. It is not often that you can experience a show where everyone is a standout but I found this was the case in this flawless production.

In this amazing production it was still possible to identify scenes that exceeded excellence.  The French roleplay scene was well-staged and the timing of all the cast was excellent. The scene between Dakin and Irwin after the boys received the results of their university entrance exams was moving and suitably sensitive.

It was one of the best evenings I have had at the theatre for some time.  It was also one that has been in my thoughts all day so I felt moved to write this post in order to ensure that I have a more permanent record of how much this production moved me.

Bravo and thank you to the cast and crew for a wonderful experience.