The History Boys

The History Boys, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2005

Cast: Marc Elliott, Kenny Thompson, Jamie King, Matt Smith, Steven Webb, Philip Correia, Thomas Morrison, James Cartwright, Bruce Alexander, Diane Fletcher, Desmond Barrit, Tobias Menzies, Derek Howard, Julia West, Leyland O'Brien, David Poynor, Samuel Yates.

Writer: Alan Bennett

Director: Nicholas Hytner

I saw this when it was on at the National Theatre and of course loved it. It was right up my street so I was glad when it toured. I have no memory of if they recreated the big set that seemed to fill the National Theatre stage with slabs of concrete and lots of cheers. Looking through the cast list I'm amazed to discover I saw Matt Smith before he was Doctor Who or even famous really - at that point he'd done nothing I'd seen or heard of. More recognisable is Steven Webb who I later say in As Is, where he was on stage as the audience took their seats and I think he winked and me (in character) and I lost my nerve and looked away. I'd forgotten he was Stephen Fry's boyfriend at some point too.