The History Boys as Akthar, original Akthar actor Sacha Dhawan as Posner (as Samuel Barnett was performing in "Richard III/Twelfth Night" on Broadway at the time) and playwright Alan Bennett taking over as Hector from the late Richard Griffiths. In October 2006 a film adaptation of the play was released in the United States, and later in November 2006 in Britain. The film was directed by Nicholas Hytner and featured the original stage cast. The History Boys The History Boys is a play by British playwright Alan Bennett. The play premiered at the Royal National Theatre in London on 18 May 2004. Its
"Master Harold"...and the Boys "Master Harold"...and the Boys "Master Harold"...and the boys is a play by Athol Fugard. Set in 1950, it was first produced at the Yale Repertory Theatre in March 1982 and made its premiere on Broadway on 4 May at the Lyceum Theatre, where it ran for 344 performances. The play takes place in South Africa during apartheid era, and depicts how institutionalized racism, bigotry or hatred can become absorbed by those who live under it. It is said to be a semi-autobiographical play, as Athol Fugard's birth name was Harold and his boyhood was very similar to Hally's, including his