By Charlotte Ndupuechi.
I was really looking forward to seeing The Boy at the Back of the Class, adapted for the stage by Nick Ahad. Having long been a fan of Onjali Q. Raúf’s much-loved book, I was curious to see how its humour, heart, and emotional depth would translate to the stage.
This production did not disappoint.
The story follows a group of schoolchildren who become determined to help Ahmet, a refugee from Syria who sits alone at the back of the classroom. The children try to make sense of the situation, of the nasty words they hear, of the images they see on the news, and of the fact that not everyone is as excited as they are to see if the new boy likes lemon sherbets and wants to play football with them.
The balance of comedy and uncomfortable moments makes it engaging for both younger audiences and adults.
The young cast brings so much energy and personality to the stage. Ahmet, played by Serkan Avlik, is exactly how I imagined him from the book. Shy and quiet, yet fully present, using facial expressions and body language to portray curiosity, fear, hope, and the beginnings of trust. Alexa (Sasha Desouza-Willock) does a fantastic job narrating the story and taking us on the journey with her. Michael (Abdul-Malik Janneh) plays the friend who wants to win gold stars and also makes a great London cabbie. Josie, played by Petra Joan-Athene, is a ball of energy and the fastest runner in the school (very important when you’re nine) – and my personal favourite. Tom (Jonny Warr), the American friend, and Clarissa (Evie Weldon), the spoilt rich kid, create characters that feel completely believable.
The added scenes of forming the “A Team” and the little Mission Impossible-style routine bring a real sense of fun.
Max Jordan as Brendan the Bully perfectly captures the memory of childhood bullies, with his cruel words echoing those of his father, perhaps reminding us that children are not born prejudiced but often repeat what they hear around them. Natasha Lewis moves seamlessly between the roles of Mrs Khan and Mum to Alexa, playing both with warmth. Eleanor Patel and Fedrat Sadat take on multiple characters with ease, and Yash Kutty supports.
The staging is playful and creative, using simple but effective set pieces to transport the audience between the classroom and the children’s many adventures. The familiar PE climbing frame, which we all recognise from school, helps set the scene perfectly and is moved effortlessly to become everything from the school gates to Buckingham Palace, to the shops during the hunt for the much-sought-after pomegranate.
The show tackles complex issues that are incredibly relevant in today’s often hostile world, but what works so well is how the production allows us to see the world through the children’s eyes. In the foyer, there are postcards that you can take to write to the Prime Minister, perhaps encouraging us to all be a little bit more like Josie, Tom, Michael and Alexa.
This production of The Boy at the Back of the Class at Mayflower Studios is funny, and touching. It’s a wonderful reminder of the power of friendship and empathy, told with humour, imagination, and a great deal of heart. It’s a story that feels especially important right now. I loved it.
Review by Theo Ndupuechi, aged 11.
I really enjoyed the show. I have read the book, and I was interested to see how they were going to act it out on the stage. It exceeded my expectations!
I was impressed with how they included the audience while staying in character, and I was happy to see that it was young people playing the characters.
I like how they transitioned the scenes and settings as part of the story.
I think everyone should see this show because it can help to change your point of view about people by putting you in their shoes.
Tickets for The Boy at the Back of the Class (Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 March 2026) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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Interview: Author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, Onjali Q. Raúf