History Boys Reviews — Page 3

Don't be dubbing it Tony Victor just yet...I still say RABBIT HOLE (eventhough it's a closed play) still has its supporters being an AMERICAN play and could very well trump HB.

Clive Barnes from the NY POST is Negative on the play and Mixed to Positive on the Actors. He only gives it 2 Stars!

http://www.nypost.com/theatre/64990.htm
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ALAN Bennett's "The History Boys," which came to the Broadhurst The atre last night trailing clouds of glory and awards from London's National Theatre, could well emerge as the cult hit of the season.

So I'm sorry to say I found it hopelessly overblown, overhyped and overrated.

Admittedly, it has one indelible stage portrait from Richard Griffiths - a hitherto underrated actor in the role of his lifetime - and beautifully calibrated performances from the terrific Frances de la Tour and an admirable newcomer, Stephen Campbell Moore.

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Updated On: 4/24/06 at 08:14 AM

I'm so thrilled to see all these great reviews for this play. If, in a fit of xenophobia, the Tony voters give the award to the vastly inferior RABBIT HOLE, it will indeed be a dark day. A superior play is a superior play. Its country of origin should not be considered.

TT

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I must disagree...I though RH was the best play of the season, with a close runner up from History Boys. I'd be surprised if Well even gets a nomination. It may, but Best Broadway Play - NO WAY!

Bergen Record is a rave.
Bergen Record - History Boys

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Newsday is a rave.
Newsday - History Boys

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Hartford Courant is a rave.
Hartford Courant - History Boys

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Chicago Tribune is a rave.
Chicago Tribune - History Boys

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Goof in Chicago Sun Times review:

"and Timms (James Corden), as the not terribly bright one who comically concludes that 'history is just one damn thing after another.'"

Too bad that was Rudge (Russell Tovey), who said the damn line twice!!!

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FYI, LaCage -- Barnes also gave Rabbit Hole Two Stars, "But once that story is made clear, it's also clear he has no idea where to go with it. It's as though Dr. Phil had decided to write a feel-better play." :

http://www.nypost.com/theatre/62818.htm

He was also the only major critic who didn't like Well, so I think Barnes's opinion has to be discounted when discussing Best Play this year.

History Boys and Well are the two best-reviewed plays of the season thus far (amassing all raves save for Barnes). Rabbit Hole split the critical community down the middle -- half loved it, half (Post, Daily News, Newsday, Reuters, Bloomberg, Broadway.com, All That Chat et al) found it a soap opera. Inishmore will also likely get better reviews than Rabbit Hole when it opens.

While the critical response is not the sole determinant of how well a show will do with the Tony nominators and voters, it has a HUGE influence. So far, History Boys and Well have to be seen as the frontrunners.

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Ben's review for the Times was one of the most positive NY Times review's i'd read in a while...

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you will ALL love IT!

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Suddenly, I'm hearing Forbidden Broadway's Judi Dench in my head...

Why can't Americans do theatre like the Brits?
Our avalanche of talent is crushing you to bits.
If you did a Chekhov play as English actors do
You might win a Tony or two.

Honestly, I will be very upset if The History Boys does not come out on top. I find this play to be the complete package, something which has seemingly become uncommon. To echo PalJoey, it really does get better upon every return trip.

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