Originally an award-winning book by Onjali Q Raúf, often studied in junior schools, The Boy at the Back of the Class has been adapted for the stage by Nick Ahad, the second act in particular working very well with much variety of mood and pace to keep young audiences interested, whereas the first half is less captivating as we are introduced to the various protagonists, all of which are rather stereotyped and two-dimensional, the aim obviously being to keep things clear for a young (7-12) audience.
The plot follows Alexa (a superb portrayal by Sasha Desouza-Willock) and her friends ‘The A Team’ as they meet Ahmet, a new boy who sits quietly at the back of the class – or, in this production, upstage centre. Serkan Avlik is very believable in this role, gradually coming ‘out of his shell’ as the play progresses. We learn that he is a refugee who has journeyed from Syria by himself, knowing nothing of his parents’ whereabouts. The A Team plan a mission to help reunite Ahmet with his parents. Despite most of the children and teachers being welcoming, some are not, and the success of the story lies in the innocence of the children through whom the tale is told. Occasionally it verges on being patronising, but engages and entertains the younger members of the audience as it did at the Eastbourne Press Night when there were several groups of young children who were totally silent throughout, one being heard to say afterwards that she ‘need not bother to read the rest of the book now’ as she had enjoyed the play so much and knew what happened! One of the important things about a play like this is that it encourages young people to attend and enjoy theatre, perhaps for the first time – likewise their parents!
The adult cast, all playing 9- and 10-year-old children, have bonded to make a striking ensemble, many playing several characters, including adults. They exhibit great physicality in their acting as they climb the various moveable wall bars of the school gymnasium set (Lily Arnold) and really work as a team. Abdul-Malik Janneh plays nine-year-old Michael, then switches effortlessly to the role of London Cab Driver, which is a most amusing and athletic portrayal. Max Jordan is suitably nasty as the ‘bully’ Brendan – one of the few characters to be given any motivation: we are shown the attitudes of his rather unpleasant parents! Mrs Khan, the A Team’s form teacher, is very believable and is given just the right things to say, even if Evie Weldon’s evil teacher, Mr Irons, complete with mortar board and gown, is too stereotyped for adults to find believable! Jonny Warr is the over-enthusiastic American, Tom, brimming with energy and delivering some of his lines upside down on the gym apparatus.
Monique Touko’s direction keeps the play moving, especially in the second half, a particularly clever moment coming towards the end of Act One when Ahmet breaks the ‘fourth wall’ and speaks directly to the audience, as if they are the only people to really understand him.
The Boy at the Back of the Class plays at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, until 28 March, mostly morning and afternoon performances, before touring to London Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall in April, before venturing further north. A play which all young people should experience, as well as their parents, but if you are seeing it at Eastbourne, do wrap up warm as the heating was switched firmly “off” at Press Night!
Review by John Groves
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.
Serkan Avlik – Ahmet
Sasha Desouza-Willock – Alexa
Abdul-Malik Janneh – Michael
Petra Joan-Athene – Josie
Max Jordan – Brendan the Bully
Yash Kutty – Swing
Natasha Lewis – Mrs Khan / Mum
Eleanor Patel – Mrs Sanders / Shop Customer / Swing
Fedrat Sadat – Mr Musa / Police Officer / Swing
Jonny Warr – Tom
Evie Weldon – Clarissa
Based on the novel by Onjali Q. Raúf
Adapter – Nick Ahad
Director – Monique Touko
Co-Revival Director – Amy Crighton
Set & Costume Designer – Lily Arnold
Lighting Designer – Ryan Day
Sound Designer & Composition – Giles Thomas
Movement Director – Kloé Dean
Fight Director – Maisie Carter
Casting Director – Sophie Parrott CDG
Voice & Dialect Coach – Salvatore Sorce
Associate Lighting Designer – Charly Dunford
Associate Sound Designer – Joe Dines
THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS
Devonshire Park Theatre, 24 to 28 March 2026
Tour continues to 23 May 2026
