Theater News

The History Boys Extends Through October 1; Griffiths and de la Tour Set Vacations

| New York City |

June 15, 2006

Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour,and Stephen Campbell Moore
in The History Boys
(Photo © Joan Marcus)
Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour,
and Stephen Campbell Moore
in The History Boys
(Photo © Joan Marcus)

Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, which recently received six 2006 Tony Awards including Best Play, will extend its limited Broadway engagement at the Broadhurst Theatre by four weeks, with a new closing date of October 1.

Richard Griffiths, who won the Tony Award for Best Actor for his work as Hector, will be on vacation from July 18-23 to fulfill a prior filming commitment. During his absence, the role of Hector will be played by Desmond Barrit, who has played the role in London. Frances de la Tour, who won the Tony as Best Feaured Actress for her work as Mrs. Lintott, and Clive Merrison, who plays the Headmaster, will be gone from July 12-August 20. During their absences, their roles will be played by Maggie Steed and Malcolm Sinclair, who also played the respective parts in London.

The History Boys also won Tony Awards for Best Director of a Play (Nicholas Hytner), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Bob Crowley) and Best Lighting Design of a Play (Mark Henderson). In addition, the play won all of the major New York and London awards, including the New York Drama Critics’ Circle, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Olivier, Evening Standard and London Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Play.

Set in England, the play concerns eight bright, funny students trying to get into Oxford or Cambridge, and the pivotal year that influenced the rest of their lives. Guiding them are a maverick English teacher, a headmaster obsessed with results, and a strong-willed history teacher resistant to change.

The Broadhurst’s next tenant will be the remounting of Les Misérables, scheduled to begin previews October 22.

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