The History Boys - Altrincham Garrick

MY general studies lessons were never as entertaining as this.

The pupils often find themselves acting out scenes from romantic films and literature under the watchful eye of Hector, a teacher who can best be described as unorthodox in terms of his teaching methods.

He evidently believes in nurturing rounded individuals as his charges chase places to read history at Oxford or Cambridge.

But this much loved figure, something of a cult hero among his students also has a seedy side. However, this seediness is played down by the grammar school pupils who have a deep seated love for his lessons.

Alan Bennett’s multi award winning play launches the Garrick’s season in spectacular fashion and the curtain call at the end made me feel I was at a pop concert. The noise, the out pouring of appreciation from the audience very nearly lifted the theatre roof off.

Writing as good as this deserves performances of a similar standard and director Su Mowatt has ensured not one of her cast disappoint, from the actors playing the often rowdy students to Ivor Farley as Hector and Lindsey Barker as Mrs Linott, a female teacher often struggling to make sense of her male dominated working environment.

Ben Walsh makes a sympathetic Irwin and William Teller, a relative newcomer to this theatre has quite a presence as the hot tempered headmaster. I expect offers of future roles to flood in on the basis of this erformance.

We also have Bennett’s script to enjoy, peppered with numerous gems that are the hallmark of a modest man who is a national treasure. And then some.

Until September 21. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

Photo by Martin Ogden.