SET in the 1930s, the play sheds light on the rules and traditions of public schools at this time.

In a striking opening sequence, a flamboyant and openly homosexual pupil, Bennett, whose character is loosely based on the life of Guy Burgess, is looking through the window with binoculars while a studious boy and Marxist, Judd, is trying to work with the inconsequential chatter going on in the background. When Bennett sees a boy being carried from the bell tower the atmosphere becomes subdued.

The fact that the boy has killed himself brings all sorts of quandries and the homosexual nature of boys in an all-male community comes gradually to the surface. Starting as a trickle, the number of the boys involved rushes into a torrent: it seems none of them are exempt. But the main aim and task of the school is to hush the affair up from the family and the outside world. Never let it be said that these things happen; they might, but we don’t talk about them.

In another telling episode, one boy’s uncle comes to tea – complete of course with with cucumber sandwiches and crumpets – and turns out to be a World War One conscientious objector (an embarrassment in itself).

He happily and openly talks to Judd about his Marxist views, being more open-minded than Judd’s contemporaries. At this time, as public school tradition would have it, most boys were Tory-minded so a pupil raising a fist for Communism was not well accepted by fellow students.

At the end of the day, tradition upholds and it’s this that keeps the school together.

With an excellent cast, with particular focus on Will Attenborough as Judd, and Bob Callender as Bennett playing the main parts, it is equally amusing and thought-provoking.

An excellent play, well worth seeing.