The History Boys

Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 75th birthday of Rising Damp actress Frances de la Tour with her appearance in Alan Bennett's multi-award winning play, featuring the original National Theatre cast with Richard Griffiths, James Corden and Russell Tovey.

Set in the 1980s in the fictional Cutlers' Grammar School in Sheffield, Bennett’s play follows a group of history pupils preparing for the Oxbridge entrance exams under the guidance of three contrasting teachers and a headmaster with ambitions to move the school up the academic league table. It encompasses both the tussles of staff-room rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence.

Frances played the role of Mrs Dorothy Lintott on both the London and Broadway stage, winning a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a play.

First opening at London’s National Theatre in May 2004, The History Boys was adapted and directed for radio by Richard Wortley.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in March 2006.

• Producer: David Hunter

Publicity contact: Radio 4 Publicity