The Boy at the Back of the Class, which is touring UK theatres until June, has been described as ‘exactly the kind of story we need to be sharing with younger audiences’.
The production, by Rose Theatre and Children’s Theatre Partnership, opened to audiences at Chichester Festival Theatre in West Sussex on Tuesday 27th February.
It is based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Onjali Q. Raúf, a humorous and heart-warming story, from a child’s perspective, about the power of kindness and engaging children and their families in discussions around refugee rights.
“If there is no theatre for younger audiences, there will be no theatre at all in years to come and it is vital to offer the opportunity to experience live performance from an early age.”
Hedda Beeby, Children’s Touring Partnership
The show, aimed at ages seven and above, is touring venues across England until June including Norwich Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.
About The Boy at the Back of the Class
There used to be an empty chair at the back of the class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He’s nine years old (just like me), but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets - not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!
After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmet’s classmates have ‘The Greatest Idea in the World’ - a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. An unexpected and often hilarious adventure follows, all topped off with a terrific twist.
The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home.
Resources for teachers
There is a free resource pack that schools can download from the website. There are Key Stage 1-4 curriculum links covered across a range of activities including Character Maps, Exploration of Prejudice & Discrimination and Creative Literacy activities.
The activities use creative approaches to explore different themes and they can be adapted for use with themes and events from the story, or with other stories you study.
Christopher Haydon, artistic director of Rose Theatre said: “I am beyond thrilled to be bringing Onjali Q Raúf’s remarkable story to the stage. I love its warmth and the way it combines an exciting adventure with such piercing emotional honesty about the plight facing refugees today.”
Hedda Beeby, of Children’s Touring Partnership added: “If there is no theatre for younger audiences, there will be no theatre at all in years to come and it is vital to offer the opportunity to experience live performance from an early age. We are delighted to be working with the Rose Theatre to tell this life-affirming story. It’s about young people for young people.”
For tour dates, education resources and more see theboyatthebackoftheclass.co.uk.
