tech
March 6, 2026
The play that changed my life: ‘There were cheers, screams and gasps at our story
Dramatising Onjali Q Raúf’s refugee tale The Boy at the Back of the Class brought cheers and boos from a young audience – showing they can handle the truth
TL;DR
- The play 'The Boy at the Back of the Class' follows a Syrian boy, Ahmet, who arrives in the UK without his parents and befriends classmates.
- The children, misunderstanding government policies, decide to seek help from the queen to find Ahmet's parents and keep the country open.
- During previews, the young audience exhibited a highly vocal and emotional response, including cheering and gasping.
- The playwright notes that children can handle difficult truths about war and displacement when presented sensitively, contrary to potential underestimations.
- The production's Olivier award nomination for best family show validates the approach of telling truth to young audiences.
- The playwright found success in blending humor with themes of racism and minority experiences, which was a personal achievement.
Continue reading the original article