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London,
Fiona Mountford's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Russell Labey.
Cast: Mel Giedroyc, Ciara Janson, Gregg Lowe, Phil Matthews, Nicholas Hoult
Description: A revival of William Sutcliffe's drama about a teenage boy dealing with adolescent crushes and friendships. Adapted and directed by Russell Labey.
Trains: Tube: Charing Cross, Embankment 
Phone: 0870060 6632
Website: www.theambassadors.com/trafalgarstudios
Appealingly natural: Nicholas Hoult with Ciara Janson who plays Louise in New Boy
Friends: Kaya Scodelario, Hannah Murray, Mike Bailey, Larissa Wilson and Daniel Kaluuya from Channel Four’s Skins at the after-show party
There can be no doubt that Nicholas Hoult is all grown up now. This engaging 19-year-old, who first came to our attention as lovable Marcus of the pudding bowl haircut in the Hugh Grant film About A Boy, strides confidently onto the stage in his West End debut performance and starts talking about female genitalia. It’s the sort of thing Tony, his character in the hit Channel Four teen drama Skins, might have done.
As a star vehicle for Hoult, New Boy is ideal. It’s generally amusing, occasionally risqué and always daft, and doesn’t ask a huge amount either of him or his artfully startled hair. Instead, he can lollop about in his appealingly natural manner, showing increasing touches of Grant himself as he plays Mark, a sixth former who manages nerdiness and would-be cool at the same time.
Adapted from William Sutcliffe’s novel by director Russell Labey, New Boy whizzes us through a hectic two years of sexual confusion and coming-of-age. Mark’s initial scheme is to befriend good-looking newcomer Barry (Gregg Lowe) in the hope of some second-hand cachet, and from there on it’s a riot of horny French teachers (a cherishable cameo from Mel Giedroyc) and sultry sisters, with some unconvincing homophobia thrown in for good measure.
We’re obviously not supposed to notice that Hoult is by far the most alluring person onstage when he says of Mark: “This is a books face, not a sex face,” the ripple of disagreement from the young women in the audience is almost audible. On the downside, the script veers towards the fliply arch and casually misogynistic, with more lurches in tone and storyline than in a teenager’s hormones. The “f**k” and “Jesus Christ” counts reach the several hundreds, and these hyper-articulate teenagers, complete with a subordinate clause for every occasion, are of the sort that tend to crop up only in fiction. When we eventually reach some dark places, Labey’s peppy production finds itself flailing in the shallows.
Still, it’s a good 90 minutes of theatre from Hoult’s point of view, and the possibilities before him seem abundant. Let’s hope that he opts for serious acting, rather than hair-flicking.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I saw New Boy on Saturday. I'm a regular theatre goer and Trafalgar Studios 2 is one of my favourite theatres in London as it's tiny and you feel like you are part of the action. New Boy is the perfect play for this theatre as the audience are literally part of the show especially during Mrs Mumford's (Mel Giedroyc) speech to her class. Nicholas Hoult is perfect for the role of Mark. Such a talented actor and very endearing. This is one of the best plays I've ever seen and the audience were laughing and smiling throughout the 90 minutes. Well done cast.
- Daniella, Stanmore
