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Boys
Four boys face the tricky transition to adulthood in Ella Hickson's riot of a play. Premiered at High Tide Festival 2012, then Nuffield Theatre, Southampton, and Soho Theatre, London.The Class of 2011 are about to graduate and Benny, Mack, Timp and Cam are due out of their flat. Stepping into a world that doesnOCOt want them, these boys start to wonder whether thereOCOs any point in getting any older. How will they find the fight to make it as adults?Before all that theyOCOre going to have one hell of a party. ItOCOs hot and thereOCOll be girls. Predict a riot.'Marvellous... a play that both powerfully captures the mood of a generation and addresses permanent truths with exhilarating flair' "Independent"'Will leave you with laughter lines' "Time Out"'Heartfelt directness of writing that taps into a generation torn between action and inertia' "Guardian""
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2012
15 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 11, 2021
ON reread 12/10: Again, this seems a bit overwritten, and perhaps too 'English' for a US audience.
Original review: While Hickson is definitely talented, and there's lots here to like, a lot of it also seemed a bit hackneyed and 'been there'. Could have used a judicious editing.
Original review: While Hickson is definitely talented, and there's lots here to like, a lot of it also seemed a bit hackneyed and 'been there'. Could have used a judicious editing.
July 9, 2021
It's got a lot of good stuff; natural dialogue and some good relationships. Just feels like the characters are more like metaphors than believable people. The boiling point never quite reaches it's max and it all seems a little unimportant.
Still probably much better seen than read.
Still probably much better seen than read.
October 26, 2014
Interesting ideas and wonderful dialogue but somewhat unfulfilling.
May 8, 2025
Have read Scene One, am reading to look for monologues. Can already see maybe a possibility in Benny or possibly Cam. It’s a depressing, post-party morning for uni students almost ready to leave and go out into the world. I like the way she writes, feels like natural dialogue for the age that people are.
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Read Scene 2. Some real emotional moments - may be able to get some speech or idea from when Benny is convincing Cam to go to his concert. They’re all a bit lost, Uni has ended so now they don’t know what to do with themselves. Hits close to home and makes me feel something. Mack and Sophie are secretly getting it on behind Benny’s back, who’s dating Sophie. I feel bad for Benny, he seems to be the through-line to this play in a way.
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Read Scene 3. Timp reveals Laura covered in sushi, the party starts and lingers, tension building with Benny never quite joining in. Cam comes back and joins in, happy after a successful concert, and the tension builds more until it reaches its peak right at the end of the scene when Benny reveals that the lone 5th chair belongs to his brother who killed himself. Cam’s speech about the concert may be a good one to use, but I’m not sure as I can’t connect to the concert-specific moments enough.
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Read Scene 4, and reached end of Act 1. Explosive (literally) ending. Scene 4 was short but had felt the most personal so far. My favourite two characters, Benny and Cam, alone in the apartment. Cam tells Benny in a long monologue (maybe useful, worth checking out!) about when he was sitting at the table with the famous Russian guy, and how this old man came up to them, a man who’s taken pictures of Picasso, and the Russian guy just didn’t care. Impactful speech on the importance of youth and how when you’re older people just don’t really care anymore, there’s nothing ‘fresh’, nothing to make of you.
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Act 2 Sc 1. A quiet moment after the car explosion outside. Benny sits on the top of the fridge again while Timp and Laura talk about their love and their future. I really like Laura, her and Benny together is the overthinking duo and I love it.
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Act 2 Sc 2. Wow. An impactful scene, again maybe not as helpful for monologues, though Sophie has two big ones here. Just seeing her justifying with herself about the grief of Benny’s dead brother with the love of Mack. My god. These people are so flawed but so personal and relatable. Christ.
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Act 2 Sc 3. Very chaotic, impactful, vital scene. The chaos of the riots is going on outside, while the (arguably more chaotic) human clamour is going on, with Benny refusing to accept defeat, Mack being a dick, the history of Benny’s dead brother haunting the whole scene, especially near the end, and the pain of prolonged tension and emotion when it’s so obvious so thin the ice is. Brilliant drama. Not really any good places to get monologues from this scene but is a vital climax in the play.
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Act 2 Sc 4. Personal, post-party moments between the characters. Benny, Timp and Laura - Benny and Laura leave and Timp plans the next freshers he will plan to stay with. Sophie leaves Mack to go to Italy, alone, leaving Mack on his own at the end of the scene. No monologues but personal character moments.
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This is a really emotional play. I’ve been updating as I’ve been reading scene by scene but the last two scenes making up Act 3 I just ended up reading through because they were short and had a lot of emotion within them as all the characters took their last moments in the flat before they assumedly left for the bigger world. And this is what the play really represents - when to accept the party is over and go out and face the big world. It’s hard, it’s emotional, but it’s full of things that are worth trying for. This play is depressing but there’s no reason to give up when there’s always a chance to see what else there is in life. Who knows where it will go? Life is not just uni and living for the party. Definitely read back upon the notes I made as I was reading. There is a good Benny speech near the end of the play in Act 3 Scene 2 that I could pay attention to. But other than that, definitely glad I read this play. Related to the age of emotion deeply.
-
Read Scene 2. Some real emotional moments - may be able to get some speech or idea from when Benny is convincing Cam to go to his concert. They’re all a bit lost, Uni has ended so now they don’t know what to do with themselves. Hits close to home and makes me feel something. Mack and Sophie are secretly getting it on behind Benny’s back, who’s dating Sophie. I feel bad for Benny, he seems to be the through-line to this play in a way.
-
Read Scene 3. Timp reveals Laura covered in sushi, the party starts and lingers, tension building with Benny never quite joining in. Cam comes back and joins in, happy after a successful concert, and the tension builds more until it reaches its peak right at the end of the scene when Benny reveals that the lone 5th chair belongs to his brother who killed himself. Cam’s speech about the concert may be a good one to use, but I’m not sure as I can’t connect to the concert-specific moments enough.
-
Read Scene 4, and reached end of Act 1. Explosive (literally) ending. Scene 4 was short but had felt the most personal so far. My favourite two characters, Benny and Cam, alone in the apartment. Cam tells Benny in a long monologue (maybe useful, worth checking out!) about when he was sitting at the table with the famous Russian guy, and how this old man came up to them, a man who’s taken pictures of Picasso, and the Russian guy just didn’t care. Impactful speech on the importance of youth and how when you’re older people just don’t really care anymore, there’s nothing ‘fresh’, nothing to make of you.
-
Act 2 Sc 1. A quiet moment after the car explosion outside. Benny sits on the top of the fridge again while Timp and Laura talk about their love and their future. I really like Laura, her and Benny together is the overthinking duo and I love it.
-
Act 2 Sc 2. Wow. An impactful scene, again maybe not as helpful for monologues, though Sophie has two big ones here. Just seeing her justifying with herself about the grief of Benny’s dead brother with the love of Mack. My god. These people are so flawed but so personal and relatable. Christ.
-
Act 2 Sc 3. Very chaotic, impactful, vital scene. The chaos of the riots is going on outside, while the (arguably more chaotic) human clamour is going on, with Benny refusing to accept defeat, Mack being a dick, the history of Benny’s dead brother haunting the whole scene, especially near the end, and the pain of prolonged tension and emotion when it’s so obvious so thin the ice is. Brilliant drama. Not really any good places to get monologues from this scene but is a vital climax in the play.
-
Act 2 Sc 4. Personal, post-party moments between the characters. Benny, Timp and Laura - Benny and Laura leave and Timp plans the next freshers he will plan to stay with. Sophie leaves Mack to go to Italy, alone, leaving Mack on his own at the end of the scene. No monologues but personal character moments.
-
This is a really emotional play. I’ve been updating as I’ve been reading scene by scene but the last two scenes making up Act 3 I just ended up reading through because they were short and had a lot of emotion within them as all the characters took their last moments in the flat before they assumedly left for the bigger world. And this is what the play really represents - when to accept the party is over and go out and face the big world. It’s hard, it’s emotional, but it’s full of things that are worth trying for. This play is depressing but there’s no reason to give up when there’s always a chance to see what else there is in life. Who knows where it will go? Life is not just uni and living for the party. Definitely read back upon the notes I made as I was reading. There is a good Benny speech near the end of the play in Act 3 Scene 2 that I could pay attention to. But other than that, definitely glad I read this play. Related to the age of emotion deeply.
October 7, 2021
Act one could be shorter. Building up to the turning point took a bit too long. However, the characters are well developed and the narrative goes smoothly for most parts. In act two beats are well built upon each other and maintain a neatly rising rhythm towards the climax. The rather vague conclusion in act three is a smart choice, regarding the whole situation and the unknown future of indecisive, and/or desperate characters. The title could be more intriguing. All in all, "Boys" is certainly worth reading.
May 5, 2022
This is a really good play, with some fun dialogue and naturalistic, juvenile 'banter'. The unresolved anti-climax at the end felt satisfyingly realistic, along with the characters themselves. However, early career Ella Hickson does tend to have her characters start long, unrythmic, somewhat clunky monologues, that feel somewhat unmotivated. By Oil, she'd clearly resolved these issues. I would say you could give this play a good edit, cut 1000-1500 words and you'd have a real theatrical gem. Perhaps a dramaturge will do this one day?
October 30, 2020
PROS:
-Gripping story, loved each moment of it.
-Great, complex characters. First impressions of them changed throughout the course.
-You could really see the character growth from the beginning to the end,
-The ending did make me sob a little.
CONS:
-It was confusing at the start, but tbh I did think that Hickson did that on purpose.
-I still don't understand why Pete committed suicide, I don't know if that was never explained on purpose or if I just missed it.
-Gripping story, loved each moment of it.
-Great, complex characters. First impressions of them changed throughout the course.
-You could really see the character growth from the beginning to the end,
-The ending did make me sob a little.
CONS:
-It was confusing at the start, but tbh I did think that Hickson did that on purpose.
-I still don't understand why Pete committed suicide, I don't know if that was never explained on purpose or if I just missed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2018
I guess I'm biased but our theatre group performed this life for our GCSE exam and it was incredibly fun to perform. I thought it was pretty funny and there were some interesting characters that could lack depth ( in some cases) but I still enjoyed the overall story and dialogue. Very fun to actually act out... It is a Play after all.
March 14, 2021
I really liked it. The play was really interesting and I had no problem imagining how it would look on stage. However, at some points I had a problem with understanding the relationships between some of the characters and some of the characters' plots seemed somehow cut off. Like their part just ended. Although, I really liked Cam's story ending overall it wasn't satisfying enough.
March 16, 2024
Some moments were really lovely, and others seemed to drag a little. The characters were interesting but perhaps a little cliche. I felt like the play was building to something which never happened. But nicely written.
January 24, 2025
Some good monologues in here but the play is a little boring. Nobody wants to listen to a spiked white boy complain that his life is going too good and that’s why he hates it. The theme just isn’t that important anymore.
May 25, 2020
Topical and thought-provoking. I liked the story. I’m not sure on the characters and their relationships, at times it felt a bit clunky. I bet it’s a lot clearer on stage.
November 25, 2021
so chaotic but so beautiful
July 9, 2022
probably one of the best books i’ve ever read
something about reading plays is so much better than books
i want to put this on so badly
something about reading plays is so much better than books
i want to put this on so badly
August 13, 2022
thinking i need to read again or like see someone put it on i have so many questions
December 5, 2022
some good dynamics between the characters . Not for me in the end
February 14, 2023
the metaphors of literal rubbish and claustrophobia were a bit obvious but i liked the characters
October 21, 2023
4.5
(read for audition prep)
(read for audition prep)
February 5, 2024
Ouch, the pangs that accompany the crossroads of adolescence and adulthood!
March 15, 2024
Well written and lovely story
December 3, 2024
Some raw human there, didn’t quite grasp the wild sushi bonanza but perhaps I am simply lacking the UK uni experience to understand.
September 7, 2025
reminded me a lot of uni and that was gross but a decent play
January 26, 2026
Let’s just say I’m manifesting a role.
March 23, 2025
the human experience is so tragic and messy man. i’m feeling existential
January 14, 2018
'Boys' by Ella Hickson is about accepting change and taking the next step in life.
Boys uses a cast of characters graduating (some of them) from university and sets it in their final week of flat sharing. The play explores the grey area between childhood and adulthood and the uncertainties they face. The four new graduates choose to celebrate their impending adulthood with the party to end it all. Tongues loosen and truths are spilt.
For some of the characters, the larger issues are hidden behind the mundane concerns of cleaning house and getting the deposit back (something Edinburgh letting agents are notoriously difficult with). For others, it's about living and enjoying every single moment together while they still have time together.
'Boys' had the potential to move me but missed the mark. Of the four flatmates, Cam's arc felt the most complete. He goes from being a nervous wreck to facing his fears, to deciding to give up on everything he's worked for since childhood, to regret. In one drug-induced stupid moment, he threw away his chance at a musical career through fear and almost instantly regrets it.
A good deal of the specifics are left in subtext and never confirmed, which depending on the reader, can be both good and bad.
I've given 'Boys' 4 stars purely because it failed to make me cry or laugh. It was a good read and I would love to have seen it live.
Read more reviews here.
Boys uses a cast of characters graduating (some of them) from university and sets it in their final week of flat sharing. The play explores the grey area between childhood and adulthood and the uncertainties they face. The four new graduates choose to celebrate their impending adulthood with the party to end it all. Tongues loosen and truths are spilt.
For some of the characters, the larger issues are hidden behind the mundane concerns of cleaning house and getting the deposit back (something Edinburgh letting agents are notoriously difficult with). For others, it's about living and enjoying every single moment together while they still have time together.
'Boys' had the potential to move me but missed the mark. Of the four flatmates, Cam's arc felt the most complete. He goes from being a nervous wreck to facing his fears, to deciding to give up on everything he's worked for since childhood, to regret. In one drug-induced stupid moment, he threw away his chance at a musical career through fear and almost instantly regrets it.
A good deal of the specifics are left in subtext and never confirmed, which depending on the reader, can be both good and bad.
I've given 'Boys' 4 stars purely because it failed to make me cry or laugh. It was a good read and I would love to have seen it live.
Read more reviews here.
September 21, 2016
Absolutely brilliant. I loved it. This play had me literally laughing out loud at some points, while at other times wanting to bawl my eyes out.
April 18, 2013
A strong start with a fairly experimental second act, Ella Hickson's play successfully delves into the psyche of those on the verge of 'real life' and what that actually means for them in this cynical, unsupportive economic climate.
January 29, 2022
A few monologue options (already worked on one of Sophie’s in Drama).
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews