Professor Steve Nicholson is a professor in Twentieth Century and Contemporary Theatre and Subject Director for Theatre within the School of English at the University of Sheffield, UK. Much of his work explores relationships between theatre, society and political contexts. He is also interested in contemporary playwrights and practitioners who challenge traditional conventions about character, narrative and performance.

Premiered at the National Theatre and winner of both the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Play, Alan Bennett's The History Boys confronts issues of education, sexuality, and peer pressure through a group of boys preparing for their Oxbridge exams.
Written specifically for Key Stage 4 students, this GCSE Student Guide offers a critical commentary on the text through an overview of the play and extensive analysis of themes, characters, contexts, dramatic technique, critical reception and related works. In addition, there is a section on how to write about the play, a glossary of dramatic terms and new interviews with Alan Bennett and the play's original director, Sir Nicholas Hytner.

Throughout the guide are suggestions for activities and exercises pitched at the GSCE student, making this an indispensable resource for anyone studying the play at this level.