The Boy at the Back of the Class

Heartwarming, poignant, powerful. Last night, I finally got to see the stage adaptation of The Boy at the Back of the Class at Bristol Old Vic @bristololdvic1766 and it didn’t disappoint!

A successful theatre production for children must offer something beyond its youngest audience; it should leave people of all ages with something to take away. This production achieves exactly that. Having read Onjali Q Rauf’s book – in my opinion, one of the finest children’s books in recent years – I arrived with a sense of what to expect but at the same time was curious to see how it had been adapted for stage.

The story follows Alexa and her friends as they get to know a new pupil sitting at the back of the class, Ahmet, a refugee boy from Syria, and their subsequent quest to help reunite him with his family. The set design is simple yet effective, creating the familiarity of a school environment and, with use of lighting and sound, scenes of London.

Sasha Desouza-Willock shines throughout, beautifully captures Alexa’s innocence and thoughtfulness. Her performance is particularly moving as Alexa shares her own experience of grief following the loss of her father. Her bereavement echoes Ahmet’s circumstances, adding to the poignancy of the story.

Many young people were in the house last night. They were fully absorbed in Ahmet, Alexa and their friend’s journey. They may not have come out with beaming smiles but certainly with thoughtful, reflective faces. I overheard parents talking to their little ones about the themes presented in the play. And that, I believe, is what the book and the play want us to do – regardless of age, to reflect on these issues and to approach others with kindness and compassion.

Younger viewers enjoy this as a heartwarming school story; but for grown-ups, what makes this extra poignant, and at times, uncomfortable, to watch is the knowledge that stories like Ahmet’s are all too real. This story invites everyone to be a little more like Alexa and her gang – to step into Ahmet’s shoes, to care and to understand.

The show continues at the Bristol Old Vic until Saturday 4 April.