Boys - Reading

BOYS by Ella Hickson

Director:   Josh Clarke

Reading:                 Sunday 28th September 2025, 6.00 pm - Foyer

Auditions:             Sunday 5th October 2025, 6.00 pm – Coward/Yardley Room

Performances:   Tuesday 20th – Saturday 24th January 2026 – Coward Studio

Please click HERE for the main production page

Please click HERE for the audition page

Fill out an audition form HERE

Exams are over. The bin bags are piling up. Four flatmates face the end of university—and the start of the rest of their lives. As the world outside threatens to pull them in every direction, they're clinging to each other, cheap beer, and one last summer of freedom. But with rising debts, broken dreams, and the fear of failure creeping in, the boys are about to discover that growing up means more than just moving out.

Sharp, funny, and painfully honest, Boys is a searing portrait of a generation on the edge: caught between the promise of youth and the pressure of the future. Ella Hickson’s explosive play captures the beauty of a moment when everything is possible — and nothing is certain

I am thrilled to be directing this contemporary classic by Ella Hickson, having appeared in it over a decade ago. The play is funny, tragic, bold, messy and filled with nostalgia of university days of old. A colourful cast of six characters deliver this little slice of life. The playing ages are approximate and just there as a guide.

Timp (Playing age 20s/30s) - a childish wild man, who works in a nearby restaurant and is approaching 30 but with the mentality of an eighteen-year-old. Unpredictable, larger than life, animated, erratic and outrageous. If he could party for the rest of his life, he would.

Mack (Playing age 20s) - Graduating university this summer alongside Benny. He’s quiet and yet confident in himself and his abilities. Hard to read and you’re never sure which Mack you’re going to get. Sullen, sturdy, sombre, pessimistic and a deep thinker.

Benny (Playing age 20s) - Graduating university this summer alongside Mack. Benny wears his heart on his sleeve and is deeply unhappy and troubled by events. Considers himself the voice of reason and feels it’s his job to sort things out. Conscientious, obsessive and somewhat timid.

Cam (Playing age 20s) - A child prodigy, on the verge of a breakthrough as a professional violinist. Talented and compared to the other boys, pretty easy going. Yet internally he’s disorientated and feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. Easily influenced by others.

Laura (Playing age 20s/30s) - Timp’s long-term girlfriend and is utterly dependent on him. She is madly in love and wants to share her future with him. Kind, loyal and ditzy. She doesn't realise her true worth; there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Sophie (Playing age 20s) - Graduating university this summer alongside the boys. Has a shared history within the group. She’s from a more privileged background than the others. She can get messy when she’s drunk. Intelligent, troubled, needy, attractive, confused and fiercely flirtatious.

Looking forward to seeing lots of you at the readthrough and hopefully at auditions the following week. Any questions in the meantime please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Josh Clarke
Director
 

Play readings are not just for prospective actors, but for anyone who would like to join in reading the play – or just listen to it being read.  The readings are informal social occasions when the bar is open - we enjoy meeting new people and welcoming them to our club.  There is no obligation to audition for the play or even to read – and there’s no need to book, just turn up!

For more information artistic@teddingtontheatreclub.org.uk