History Boys - disappointing play, a must-see anyway

I saw The History Boys last night.
While I found the play itself to be vastly overrated, full of unconvincing plot developments and losing focus as it went on, I'm very glad that I saw it anyway.
The eight reasons are the actors who play the history boys.
This was acting of the very highest calibre, and I believe that several of them will have very exciting careers. This was not acting that called attention to itself and was completely free of artifice, which was more than I can say about the performances of the older actors.
Any thoughts?

Anyone who doesn't think this is an amazing play should be blacklisted.



Seriously though, can you elaborate a little further as to why you did not like the play itself?

haha seriously, Thesbijean! i can't see how anyone can go to that show and not be blown away by the genius of it. but then, this maybe because i have a one-track mind....

No, I thought it was set in Texas.

How about responding seriously to my points as I did to your question?

"Anyone who doesn't think this is an amazing play should be blacklisted."

I agree, Thesbijean!

"1) I found it impossible to believe that what happened on the motorcycle with many of the students was acccepted so casually by them. "

I find all the whining about this to be hilarious.

Why don't you tell us all why you did like the play, and why you found the plot points I couldn't accept believable?

Exactly.

If you left the play thinking it was about homosexuality, you missed the point...

1) I found it impossible to believe that what happened on the motorcycle with many of the students was acccepted so casually by them.

Authority figures. Students. Casual acceptance or resignation? Posner always seemed to volunteer...


2) I found it impossible to believe that Irwin goes on to become a political figure after his accident.

Political figures haven't had accidents before they become political figures? Particularly as Irwin starts out and gains fame as a television personality through his historical scholarship?

3) I found it impossible to believe that Dakin would make a pass at Irwin.

Students don't have crushes on teachers?

4) I found Griffith's crying scene poorly acted and unconvincing.

I found it thoroughly convincing and wonderfully acted when I saw it about a month ago.

5) I'm not sure what point Bennett is making regarding the type of teacher that Hector was - is he supposed to be a better teacher than Irwin, or just more flamboyant and better at cultivating a gay sensibility?

The point Bennett was making regarding Hector as a teacher was to learn for learning's sake. Whereas Irwin was teaching to pass a system. This arguement is currently going on in the American educational system. With the "standardized exams" mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act, students have to pass a national standard of exams at certain grade levels. Should teachers teach their students simply how to pass those exams? Or help to learn for learning's sake?

"1) I found it impossible to believe that what happened on the motorcycle with many of the students was acccepted so casually by them."

I hardly think its impossible. Hector's actions were clearly his major character flaw, and his students didn't take that aspect of him seriously. It was really a pathetic attempt at fondling if you look at how it was supposed to have happened. I don't know why everyone keeps making such a big deal about this aspect of it.

"2) I found it impossible to believe that Irwin goes on to become a political figure after his accident."

Why? If Irwin was as he appeared to be than it makes perfect sense to me. He knows how to spin things in a different way, there's no reason why he couldn't have that career.

"3) I found it impossible to believe that Dakin would make a pass at Irwin."

Its hardly impossible, students attempt to flirt with their teachers all the time.

"4) I found Griffith's crying scene poorly acted and unconvincing."

I thought that scene was brilliant. Then again, when I was in school I actually witnessed a teacher have such a break down in class. I felt this scene was done to perfection and captured the feelings of the students around him wonderfully.

"5) I'm not sure what point Bennett is making regarding the type of teacher that Hector was - is he supposed to be a better teacher than Irwin, or just more flamboyant and better at cultivating a gay sensibility? "

Irwin taught them how to pass a test. Hector gave them lessons they could keep with them for their lives.

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5) I'm not sure what point Bennett is making regarding the type of teacher that Hector was - is he supposed to be a better teacher than Irwin, or just more flamboyant and better at cultivating a gay sensibility?

*gasp* A playwright that doesn't give an audience all the answers!

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>2) I found it impossible to believe that Irwin goes on to become a political figure after his accident.<

If Franklin Delano Roosevelt could govern the U.S. during war time from a wheelchair, why couldn't Irwin be a political spinmeister after a motorcycle accident?


>3) I found it impossible to believe that Dakin would make a pass at Irwin.<

Dakin's pass has many motivations, but in particular, he is trying to get Irwin to live his life the way he teaches. Irwin teaches the students to be iconoclasts, but leads a sheltered, guarded personal life. Dakin is also trying to get through to Irwin through his good looks, since he can’t get through to Irwin on an intellectual level.

>4) I found Griffith's crying scene poorly acted and unconvincing.<

I found it a devastating, heartbreaking moment, in a gorgeous performance.


>5) I'm not sure what point Bennett is making regarding the type of teacher that Hector was - is he supposed to be a better teacher than Irwin, or just more flamboyant and better at cultivating a gay sensibility?<

More than about being about the teachers, Bennett's play is about how one lives one's life. Is it better to say and do what you need to get by, or is it better to live your life as a well-rounded, well-cultivated individual. Bennett certainly sides with Hector in that argument, but is enough of a fine dramatist to make both Irwin and Hector tragically flawed role models, painting both sides of the equation in shades of gray, instead of black and white.

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Updated On: 5/31/06 at 06:21 PM

I did, indeed, hate Inishmore.

I never said I hated History Boys, merely that I found it disappointing.

I would never categorize something that I hated as a must-see.

I have recently, if you count last season, liked Pillowman, Doubt, and Orson's Shadow very much.

Smaxie, while I do not agree with you I do appreciate your intelligent response.