Last night I watched my son perform in Alan Bennett's The History Boys. I didn't see the original West End production but I've seen the film and I have to say I think the play is much better - sharper, snappier, funnier. (I didn't really like the film that much, tbh.)
Quality of the production was generally pretty good for am-dram. The chap playing the headmaster was like a John Godber or Alan Ayckbourn character* - one of those old am-dram hacks who's probably been doing it for 30 years or more. But he was competent, as were the two playing Dorothy and Hector, though they have the unfortunate problem of being in roles that have been played definitively by Frances de la Tour and Richard Griffiths. The (very) young chap playing Irwin was pretty good too.
The boys were a mixed bunch. My son was superb (obviously) as Lockwood, and the lad playing Posner was excellent too - he's just about to head off to drama school and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he goes on to make a decent living as a professional actor. Scripps was also very good, as was Rudge. Unfortunately, the whole thing was marred slightly by Dakin, who was cast more for his looks than his acting experience or ability. It's a shame because he's such a key character but having been involved in amateur theatre myself in the past, I know it's sometimes a case of Hobson's choice when filling the parts, and you sometimes have to cast according to physical appropriateness rather than acting chops.
In all seriousness, I was very impressed with my son, looking at his performance as objectively as possible. He's entirely at home on the stage - comfortable, and generally very convincing. I didn't realise until last night that he's actually the youngest in the cast, and at 17, in fact slightly younger than the character he's playing - everyone else among the boys is older than their character - Dakin is actually older than Irwin, apparently, which is kind of funny in the context.
I liked the staging too, and the use of 80s pop music between scenes (though I could comment on a few anachronisms if I were inclined to be picky).
Going again tonight - dutiful and supportive parent that I am.
*Noises Off comes to mind, though of course that's Michael Frayn.