The History Boys Set to Open on the West End, Jan' '07

A West End run has been confirmed for The History Boys, the Tony Award-winning Alan Bennett play that originated at The National Theatre before becoming a success on Broadway and in several UK and international tours.  It will play a 17-week limited run.

The History Boys will begin performances at Wyndham's Theatre on December 21st before opening on January 3rd, 2007, according to Whatonstage.com.  The West End transfer will star the cast of the current UK tour, including Stephen Moore as maverick history teacher Hector, Isla Blair as the sternly sympathetic Mrs. Lintott, William Chubb as the Headmaster and Orlando Wells as Irwin.

It will also feature, in the roles of the titular boys, Owain Arthur, Ben Barnes as Dakinas, Philip Correia as Rudge, Marc Elliott, Thomas Morrison as Scripps, Akemnji Ndifornyen, David Poynor and Steven Webb as Posner, as well as Ben Allen, Tina Gray, Derek Howard, Duncan Patrick and Stephen Uppal.

The History Boys, originally directed by Tony Award-winner Nicholas Hytner, "is the thrilling comedy of eight bright, funny students trying to get into colleges and the year that influenced the rest of their lives.  Guiding them are a maverick English teacher, a headmaster obsessed with results and a strong-willed history teacher resistant to change." 

Simon Cox directs the current tour (and West End transfer) after Hytner, while The National Theatre and National Angels will produce.

The 2006 Tony Award-winner for Best Play, The History Boys opened at The National Theatre Lyttleton in May of 2004 and played there again after a UK national tour (it is currently on its second UK tour through November 25th, when it concludes in Manchester). 

An upcoming film version reunities most of the original cast, including Tony Award-winner Richard Griffith; the film receives its world premiere tonight.  The History Boys ended its successful Broadway run on October 1st.