The History Boys
Director: Ashkan Kheilnejad
Playwright: Alan Bennett
Translator: Mohsen Abollhasani
Project Description
The History Boys is one of the landmark works of contemporary British theatre. Premiering in 2004 at the Royal National Theatre, it received widespread critical acclaim for its sharp and layered exploration of education, sexuality and history. In 2015, it was translated into Persian; however, the translation was denied publication due to censorship.
The story follows a group of British students preparing for entrance examinations to Oxford and Cambridge. Along this path, the intense pressure to achieve academic success is revealed, and the complexities of sexual identity among teachers and students are portrayed within the constraints of a contradictory educational system.
Director’s Note
Can theater liberate the body from its ideological functions?
We focused on how the body can express and transform itself. We explored the body’s hidden potential, incorporating Butoh practices to move beyond simply acting the text and fully embrace physicality. This approach, shaped by actor dramaturgy, aligns our performance with the spirit of Alan Bennett‘s work.
We believe educational systems shape minds, gender, and dreams, while also restricting bodies and individuality. Our method resists this conditioning, creating space for bodies to reclaim autonomy. This transformation invites the audience to view The History Boys anew, question societal boundaries, and engage more deeply with the performance.
Awards
- Best Directing, Best Set Design, and Best Performance at the 36th Fadjr International Theatre Festival (International Category) – 2018
- Best Set Design at the 2nd Tehran International Symposium – 2018
- Best Performance of the Year from the Critics, Writers, and Researchers Association of the Iranian Theatre Forum (ITF) – 2018
Venues & Dates
- Tehran City Theatre, Chaharsoo Hall, Tehran, Iran – August and September 2017
- Iranshahr Theatre, Samandarian Hall, Tehran, Iran – November and December 2017
- Fadjr International Theatre Festival (FITF), Tehran, Iran – Featured in the 36th International Category – January 2018
Cast
- Majid Aghakarimi
- Hamed Rasouli
- Sina Balahang
- Mohammad Berahmani
- Sajad Hamidian
- Hamid Rahimi
- Mahdi Shahedi
- Maryam Nourmohammadi
- Amir Masoud Vaez Tehrani
- Mohsen Abollhasani
- Mehrdad Babaei
Creative Team
- Set Designer: Ashkan Kheilnejad
- Set Executive and Consultants: Mohammad Mousavi
- Set Graphic Artist: Seyed Mohammad Mosavat
- Costume Designer: Maryam Nourmohammadi
- Lighting Designer: Mohammad Rasouli
- Poster and Brochure Designer: Mehdi Davaei (PLAY+PAUSE STUDIO)
- Make-up Artist: Sara Eskandari
- Photographer: Mehrdad Motejali
- Singing Coach: Mehrdad Babaei
- Counselor Directors: Yousef Bapiri and Mojtaba Karimi
- Assistant Director: Shima Esmaeilzadeh
- Script Supervisor: Shahrzad Rahmani
- Stage Manager: Mohammadreza Rashidi
- Stage Assistants: Setayesh Baher, Nika Adibi, Nafiseh Hajizadeh, and Pouyan Hasani
- Film and Rehearsal Archive: Shoja Giahi
- Production and Marketing Promotional Teasers: Maryam Deyhoul
- Media Consultant and Public Relations Manager: Asal Abbasian
- Media and Virtual Marketing: Amir Ghalichi
Duration
110 Minutes
Impact
- Performances: 60
- Audience: ~8,000
Production
- Producer: Tazeh Theatre Group