A show through the lens of nine-year-olds. A story that is more current than we could possibly imagine because we are all experiencing these topics currently in 2026.
The show opens, mirroring the poster, with a backpack on the seat on a blue-lit set. It quickly opens, hitting us with an explosion of energy and children running onto the stage. There childlike energy that remains and is brilliantly performed throughout the show, even though the cast are adults.
We meet “Alexa” (the lynch pin to her gang, The A-Team), a smart, sensitive 9-year-old girl who carries the narrative through the show. At first, it seems the story will be about the loss of her father and a nine-year-old navigating grief, but that is just one of the many topics on the show. In fact, the entire show is beautifully powerful and moving, tackling racism, bullying, integration, and refugees, to name just a few topics. Sasha’s performance is childlike, inquisitive, intelligent and beautiful.
This story follows the day-to-day life of a class of year 5s, which is brilliantly portrayed by the entire cast, never for a moment questioning that they aren’t really nine! We soon meet “Ahmet”, a boy who does not speak at all. We soon learn it’s because he is a refugee and does not know the language. We slowly learn of his story, starting at the back of the class – it is gut-wrenching and a story which is so topical but so rare to see through a child’s narrative and that’s this show’s power.
The first act takes us through the journey of the inquisition from Ahmet’s peers and their interest in him, his story, and most importantly for children, playing football and being in their gang! All this happens whilst tackling the class bully. A short but important moment is when we meet the dad of “Brendan the Bully”, showing we only learn hate by hate. Not only is Ahmet a victim of Brendan, but also his classmates. We see nine-year-olds navigating grown-ups’ unkind language, and we watch how it affects them and what power they have to make a change with real child innocence.
Ahmet (sensationally portrayed by Serkan Avlik) does not speak throughout the first act, but his body language and eyes tell us so much. Just before the first act comes to a close, Ahmet speaks for the first time, breaking the fourth wall, and he asks the audience if they understand him. Multiple young children in the audience shouted back, saying “yes,” and my goodness, there was power in that. It’s safe to say there were many tears in the audience.
The second act is just a continuation of brilliance. The anti is upped because now Ahmet has learnt English, the children connect with him even more, understand his story, and they want to help him at all costs find his mum and dad because he lost his cat and his sister drowned on the boat over to England… This act is full of energy, a huge heart, and a visit to Buckingham Palace!
The set is simple yet sufficient. It doesn’t change throughout except the school sport frames manipulate throughout, taking you through different times and places. The audience age ranged from very young to elderly, and I can honestly say every age group in that auditorium went on the “A-Teams Gang” journey and was touched by Ahmet’s story. The multi-rolling was brilliantly done, and the energy never falters. This show is educational, topical, and moving, to say the least, and really strips everything back because it’s through the lens of children.
The music is minimal but poignant, and the last song will have you crying!
Review by Cal Frankie
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.
Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, 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.
CAST
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
CREATIVES
Based on the novel by Onjail Q. Raúf
Adapter – Nick Ahad
Director – Monique Touko
Co-Revival Director – Amy Crighton
Set and Costume Designer – Lily Arnold
Lighting Designer – Ryan Day
Sound Designer and Composition – Giles Thomas
Movement Director – Kloé Dean
Fight Director – Maisie Carter
Casting Director – Sophie Parrott CDG
Voice and Dialect Coach – Salvatore Sorce
Associate Lighting Designer – Charly Dunford
Associate Sound Designer – Joe Dines
Costume Supervisor – Natalia Alvarez
Props Supervisor – Eve Hawes
THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS
Rose Theatre Kingston, 6 to 22 February 2026
Tour continues to 23 May 2026
