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Alan Bennett's award-winning theatre production "The History Boys" will be staged by Hong Kong-based arts group Theatre Space in October.
"The History Boys" was first performed in London in 2004. It garnered six awards including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2005, the Tony Award for Best Play in 2005 and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play in 2006. In that same year, it played nearly 200 times at the Broadhurst Theatre in Broadway and was adapted into a film as well.
The story takes place in a boys' school in England. Eight boys have obtained the highest scores ever for the A-level examination and they aspire to enter either Oxford or Cambridge. To ensure that they would progress safely on the road to Oxbridge, the Headmaster hires a young male teacher to train them specifically in examination techniques. However, since the timetable of the eight boys is already full, the Headmaster decides to cut their lessons with other teachers.
An old teacher, who is well-received by students, teaches language studies with poetry and prose of all ages, and conducts his classes as if they were singing and drama productions. A female teacher meanwhile helps them build a good foundation in their studies. The new young teacher's classes instead focus on the examinations for admission to the universities but his teaching methods are criticised by the old teacher and are said to turn history lessons into journalistic writing training. The story reflects education and history issues through the influence of three teachers with different teaching styles.
"The History Boys" is directed by Bee Wan. Jacob Yu is the producer as well as the set and costume designer. The script has been translated by Rupert Chan. The main cast includes Kiu Po-chung, Luther Fung, Angus Chan, Rebecca Po, Man Kit-chung, Billy Yip, Billy Sy, Peter Chan, Fung Chi-yau, Kan Lap-keung, Owen Kwok and Andy Tang.
Details of the shows, to be performed in Cantonese, are as follows:
Date and Time:
October 4 and 5 (Friday and Saturday), 7.45pm
October 5 and 6 (Saturday and Sunday), 2.45pm
Venue: Cultural Activities Hall, Sha Tin Town Hall
Ticket price: $180
Date and Time:
October 12 and 13 (Saturday and Sunday), 2.45pm
October 12 (Saturday), 7.45pm
Venue: Cultural Activities Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall
Ticket price: $160
"The History Boys" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by telephone credit card booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). Please refer to the programme leaflet for details of the group booking discount.
The programme contains coarse language, adult content, nudity and smoking scenes. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/theatre/program_324.html. For ticketing enquiries, call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, call 2111 5999. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk.
There will be a post-performance talk after each show.
Ends/Friday, August 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 10:15
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