The Boy at the Back of the Class
Based on the book by Onjali Q. Raúf✨ 2026 OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATED – BEST FAMILY SHOW ✨
A beautifully moving story – an incredibly striking piece of theatre
Broadway World
Exactly the kind of story we need to be sharing with younger audiences
Theatre Weekly
Come along on a heartfelt and often hilarious adventure as a group of friends set out on a quest to reunite their new classmate with his family.
After delighting audiences across the country, and now with a Best Family Show Olivier Award nomination, this smash-hit, joyful play based on the bestselling novel is back with a celebration of friendship kindness and compassion.
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 good friends and courage in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home.
Joyous adaptation of Onjali Q. Raúf’s novel
The Stage
Not just engaging and relatable, but educational in the best sense
WhatsOnStage
A children’s play for today
Daily Mail
📚 Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2019 📚
📚 Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019 📚
FOR SCHOOLS
On Stage
Photos: Manuel Harlan
