Tony Award-winning 'The History Boys' takes stage at Texas State

By Alec Jennings
University News Service
October 13, 2010

The Texas State University-San Marcos Department of Theatre and Dance presents "The History Boys" Oct. 27-30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. in the PSH Foundation Studio Theatre.

A 2006 Tony Award winner, "The History Boys" tells the story of a group of bright but unruly boys in a British boarding school in the pursuit of sex, sport and acceptance to a good university. They are helped, hindered and enlightened by a maverick English teacher who seeks to broaden their horizons in sometimes undefined ways while a young history teacher questions the methods and aim of their schooling.

Play director Katie Knapek said themes and elements of the play should be familiar with a contemporary audience: struggling with how to get into the best university, what path to take in life, how to get the most from an education and ultimately their lives.

"That's one of the things I like about this play--the audience is familiar with what the characters are going through," said Knapek. "Do you learn for life or do you learn for a test to get into the best universities?"

Though the play takes place in Great Britain, Knapek said the questions and themes being dealt with by the characters exemplify common elements of people in general and serves as a good experience for young actors as well.

"I've seen the play performed twice, in London and on Broadway. There are no small characters. Even if the character has only three lines, they're still an important part of the story," Knapek said. "Theatre is a culture-based area of study. As the actors become these characters, they learn that people aren't all that different even though we may come from different cultures."

This play is intended for mature audiences. Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students. For more information, please call (512) 245-2147.