Hector, an eccentric teacher, delights in knowledge for its own sake, but the headmaster ambitiously wants the school to move up the academic league table, so Irwin, a supply teacher, is hired to introduce a rather more cynical and ruthless style of teaching.

The boys are an unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys and, as such boys will be, in pursuit of sex, sport, and a place at a good university – generally in that order. In all their efforts, they are helped and hindered, enlightened and bemused, by their maverick English teacher who seeks to broaden their horizons in sometimes undefined ways, and by a young history teacher who questions the methods, as well as the aim, of their schooling.

In The History Boys, Alan Bennett raises – with gentle wit and pitch-perfect command of character – not only universal questions about the nature of history and how it is taught but also questions about the purpose of education today.

The Headmaster

Douglas Hector               English/General Studies teacher

Irwin                              History teacher; brought in as a special coach

Mrs Dorothy Lintott       History teacher

TV Director                    of Irwin’s television programme (a small role)

Akthar                            Asian ancestry, Muslim

Crowther                        acts as a hobby

Dakin                             handsome, object of Posner’s and Irwin’s affection

Lockwood                      strong opinions

David Posner                  youngest, gay and Jewish

Rudge                             better known for athletic skills than for intelligence

Scripps                           Anglican, plays piano

Timms                            joker, overweight

Make-Up Woman           from the TV Production team on Irwin’s television show

MPs                               spoken to by Irwin in opening scene

Fiona                              Headmaster’s secretary

Mizzis Horrocks’ class of seven-year olds is about to perform their nativity play at Flint Street Junior School for the proud mums and dads – and the occasional social worker. Squabbles arise when Gabriel wants to play Mary, the Star grumbles he’s not a proper star like they have at NASA, Herod won’t stop waving to his mum and dad and the subversive Innkeeper is determined to liven up the traditional script. And then the stick insect escapes…

The children are played by adults, who later play their parents.

This warm, witty, funny play is an ideal alternative to the usual Christmas fare with original lyrics set to the tunes of the usual Christmas carols

All the cast will sing during the play to some degree or other. Mary should be a confident singer as she leads the carols “proper” the rest need to have some rhythmic ability as they mainly do not know the words or tunes but make up their own words as they go along (Think Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady)

Innkeeper (Bradley)

Star of Bethlehem (Marcus)

Narrator (Tim)

Herod / Joseph (Ryan)

Ass (unnamed boy)

Frankincense Wise Man (Adrian)

Mary (Jenny)

Wise Gold Man (Jess)

Shepherd (Zoe)

Gabriel (Ashley)

Angel (Shamima, who is of Asian / Pakistani origin)