Theater Review ‘The History Boys’ At Northern Stage

Theater Review ‘The History Boys’ At Northern Stage By Charlie McMeekin

Northern Stage has taken pride in its efforts to bring to White River cutting edge provocative theater. It was here I first saw "Wit," and "Art," both productions which went on to later openings at a variety of other Vermont and New Hampshire venues.

This template continues with their current production of "The History Boys," an erudite exploration of 12 British students preparing for possible admission to Oxford or Cambridge, and three teachers who work with them. Before the final lights out, we wrestle with issues of historic interpretation, the nature of teaching, homosexuality, the Holocaust, sexism, the meaning of literature, and the purpose of education.

That’s a full plate, and this is an evening not designed for those looking for mere titillation. It is, however, a chance to revel in a talented playwright’s obvious love of language and no-holds-barred look into life with all its grit and glory.

The best insight into this production is through its language, and a few sample quotes serve as windows into the fertile field of Alan Bennett’s script:

"The loss of liberty is the price we pay for freedom".

"A euphemism is a verbal fig leaf."

"All literature is consolation."

"I count examinations as the enemy of education. I count education as the enemy of education."

Each line stands on its own, but the terse and spare language requires strict attentiveness from the audience.

The three teachers are textured caricatures of folks you would find in classrooms in either England or the U.S. Mrs. Lintott is the consummate professional, providing her charges with a rich preparation in history. Perhaps her most memorable moment is when she rails against the masculine orientation of history.

"Can you imagine how discouraging it is to teach five centuries of masculine ineptitude?"

Hector is incredibly bright, quirky, and determined that education is about something more than preparing for status universities. He worries that his charges are "magnificently unprepared for the long littleness of life."

Irwin is the bright young newcomer, brought in to teach "the technique" to ensure that the 12 students are all competitive candidates.

The quality of their acting, particularly that of Drew Taylor, who plays the highly convoluted Hector, was attested to by my theater companion, Danny Moore of Hartland, a senior at TSA. He said he was reflecting on how impressed he was with the 12 young men who play the student roles, and suddenly realized that he’d completely forgotten that the teachers were actors also. They just seemed like teachers to him.

Credit must also be extended to all eight actors who portrayed the students. While each had individual moments of depth and color, their work as an ensemble was the ultimate contribution to the show. Equally seamless contributions were made by the show’s set, lighting, and music. Congratulations to Northern Stage for a memorable debut offering in their 12th season.

"The History Boys" runs through October 19, with shows on Tuesdays through Sundays. All performances are at 7:30 except for a 5 p.m. curtain on Sundays, and special 2 p.m. matinees on Thursday the 9th, Saturday the 11th, and Saturday the 18th. Tickets may be reserved online or by calling 802-296-7000.