2026 tour of THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS announced
After delighting audiences across the country in 2024, The Boy at the Back of the Class, a celebration of friendship, kindness and compassion, returns to the Rose Theatre from 6-22 February 2026 before touring.
Following Kingston, Nick Ahmad’s critically and publicly acclaimed adaptation of Onjali Q. Raúf’s award-winning and best-selling novel, once again directed by The Stage Debut Award-winner Monique Touko, will play in Coventry, Salford, Truro, Blackpool, Cardiff, and Bradford.
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.
Casting is to be announced.
Rose Artistic Director Christopher Haydon said: “We are thrilled to be bringing this heartfelt and still highly relevant story back to our stage and theatres across the UK with Children’s Theatre Partnership. Writer Nick Ahad and director Monique Touko have brilliantly captured the wild ride of Onjali Raúf’s book and brought so much heart and passion to this production. I’m eager for new audiences to experience this lovely and inspiring story of inclusion, compassion and kindness."
The creative team also includes set and costume designer Lily Arnold, lighting designer Ryan Day, composer and sound designer Giles Thomas, movement director Kloé Dean, and casting director Sophie Parrott CDG.
For more info on The Boy at the Back of the Class, please click here.