Theatre REVIEW: The Boy at the Back of the Class - ★★★★★

Mix Up Theatre (Stewart)
Mar 22
4 min read

Updated: Apr 5

After delighting audiences across the country, and now with a Best Family Show Olivier Award nomination, the smash-hit, joyful play based on the best-selling novel is back with a celebration of friendship, kindness and compassion.

An unexpected and hilarious adventure

Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of good friends and courage in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home.

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.

Credits

Based on the book by Onjali Q.Rauf, Adapted for stage by Nick Ahad, Directed by Monique Touko

Where?

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh - Part of UK Tour

WEBSITE

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Jamie (Age 8) - ★★★★★

"I enjoyed the whole experience, I liked everything about the play, the story and the acting. The set was cool because they got to climb on it. "

Sarah (Age 12) - ★★★★1/2

"Very good show with moving moral.

Very well put together.

The climbing wall shook a little bit when people climbed on it though - maybe secure that a bit more.

Everyone seemed confident."

Georgie (Age 10) - ★★★★★

"It was funny but also really sad knowing his city was being bombed and people where unkind to him. I liked the set and I think loads of people would enjoy it too. Oh they bullies are not good at all. I didn't like that."

Myles (Age 15) - ★★★★

"This show had a fantastic message which was executed extremely well. There was never a moment where I felt bored or done with the show. All of the cast were great and I think that this show would be especially good for young children as it would teach them on themes such as racism, discrimination, prejudice. I do think that the show was aimed for a younger audience than me, but it was still an incredible whirlwind of emotions."

Maddie (Age 12) - ★★★★★

"I loved it, I thought it was a really touching story about a refugee kid joining a class and others making him feel welcome. i also think they made it relevant for kids today using terms such as “67” and labubu dolls.the whole cast was extremely energetic and entertaining the whole time . all in all i definitely recommend it!"

Archie (Age 13) - ★★★★

"This is a play about a boy who is the Syrian refugee who comes to school and some kids at the school take him in and become friends with him and they try to help him find his mum and dad. I enjoyed this play. I thought the visuals very good and the way they learn about refugees through the eyes of a child was really well told. Also the performances really energetic and enthusiastic. Overall, this was a very sweet story about kids showing compassion towards somebody who has to leave their home due to drastic circumstances."

Anna (Age 8) - ★★★★★

"I went to see The Boy at the Back of the Class at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh with my mum. I thought the play might be about a boy being left out, but it was much more than that. I had never heard the word 'refugee' before, although I did know that some people have to leave their homes and countries to escape the bombs. I felt like the character Josie was the most like me, a girl just a bit older than me and who likes sports, but my favourite character was the grandpa fruitseller as he was really funny.

I think if I saw someone being mean to someone for being a refugee, I would ask them to stop and if they didn't, I would tell the teacher. The kids were good friends and looked like they had fun together, especially when they became the A Team with the Mission Impossible music. The climbing frame on the stage was really clever as it could be the school or a home or a bus or a fruit stand, and I liked the music. The play was very dramatic, especially some of Achmed's scenes. I would give it 4.9 out of 5 stars, and my mom said she'd give it 5 stars and she cried at some scenes."

Ailie (Age 16) - ★★★★

"I really enjoyed The Boy at the Back of the Class as I had read the book years ago so it was fun to see on stage. I loved the storyline but at times it was hard to watch because of the racism and bullying towards Ahmet. However, I think if I had been any older I wouldn't have liked it as much as it's more suitable for younger teens. Overall, I would rate it 4 stars."