REVIEW – THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS | THE LOWRY | 15/04/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- 29 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry - A Moving, Thought-Provoking Family Theatre Experience
The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry is a stage adaptation of Onjali Q. Raúf’s award-winning children’s novel, brought to life by adapter Nick Ahad and directed by Monique Touko. Produced by Rose Theatre and the Children’s Theatre Partnership, this Olivier Award-nominated production continues to resonate strongly with audiences of all ages.
Aimed at children aged 7+, this production firmly sits within family theatre—but as with the very best children’s stories, it offers just as much for adults.
At the heart of The Boy at the Back of the Class is Ahmet, a young refugee from Syria who arrives at a new school in England, unable to speak English and carrying a story that slowly unfolds.
The narrative is told through the eyes of Alexa and her classmates, whose curiosity about the quiet boy sitting at the back of the classroom quickly turns into compassion and determination. As they begin to understand what it means to be a refugee, their mission becomes clear—to help Ahmet feel welcome and, ultimately, to try and reunite him with his family.
Told from a child’s perspective, the story gently explores complex themes including displacement, racism and the refugee crisis, but does so with warmth, humour and heart. It’s a clever balance that makes the story accessible for younger audiences while still carrying emotional weight.
Watching this with my 8-year-old daughter Alice, it was clear just how engaging the story is—she was completely transfixed throughout, fully invested in the characters and their journey.
The set and costume design by Lily Arnold is wonderfully simple yet incredibly versatile. The stage is dominated by a large climbing frame structure, instantly recognisable as a school gym apparatus. This clever design transforms seamlessly into multiple locations—from playgrounds and classrooms to buses and even more imaginative spaces—allowing the audience to fill in the gaps with their imagination.
Costumes reinforce the school setting beautifully, with uniforms that instantly ground the story in a familiar world for younger audiences, helping them connect with the characters straight away.
Lighting design by Ryan Day works effectively to shift tone throughout the production, moving from bright, playful classroom scenes to more intimate and emotional moments with subtle changes that guide the audience’s focus.
Giles Thomas’ sound design and composition add depth to the storytelling, supporting both the lighter, humorous scenes and the more poignant moments without ever overwhelming the action.
The cast deliver consistently strong performances, with adult actors convincingly portraying a group of energetic, mischievous schoolchildren. Their physicality and mannerisms are spot-on, making it easy to believe in the world they create on stage.
Serkan Avlik gives a particularly moving performance as Ahmet, relying heavily on physical expression and subtle gestures—especially in the early stages when language is a barrier. His portrayal captures both vulnerability and quiet strength, making his journey deeply affecting.
Sasha Desouza-Willock shines as Alexa, leading the story with warmth, curiosity and determination. Her performance anchors the narrative and makes Alexa’s compassion feel genuine and heartfelt.
Abdul-Malik Janneh (Michael) and Petra Joan-Athene (Josie) bring plenty of humour and energy to the group dynamic, while Evie Weldon (Clarissa) adds further personality to the classroom ensemble.
Max Jordan makes a strong impression as Brendan the Bully, creating a believable antagonist within the school setting, while Natasha Lewis (Mrs Khan/Mum), Eleanor Patel and Fedrat Sadat take on multiple roles with ease, seamlessly transitioning between characters.
The multi-rolling across the cast is particularly impressive, with quick shifts between child and adult roles handled smoothly, adding variety and pace to the production.
The Boy at the Back of the Class is a heartfelt and thought-provoking piece of theatre that successfully blends education with entertainment.
It introduces young audiences to important real-world issues in a way that feels accessible, engaging and emotionally resonant, while still delivering moments of humour and joy. For adults, it offers a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, kindness and understanding.
Most importantly, it’s a show that truly connects with its audience—something that was clear watching Alice completely absorbed from start to finish.
A moving, meaningful and beautifully told story that proves kindness really can change everything.
The Boy at the Back of the Class will be showing at The Lowry until Saturday, 18th April 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
For more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the official website.
Photo Credit - Jess Shurte
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
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