Rose Theatre and Children’s Theatre Partnership have revealed the full cast and creative team for the 2026 revival of The Boy at the Back of the Class. The stage adaptation of Onjali Q. Raúf’s multi award-winning novel, written by Nick Ahad and directed by Monique Touko, opens at Rose Theatre on 11 February, with previews from 6 February, before touring the UK until May.
The production stars Serkan Avlik as Ahmet, Sasha Desouza-Willock as Alexa, Abdul-Malik Janneh as Michael, Petra Joan-Athene as Josie, Max Jordan as Brendan the Bully, Yash Kutty as Swing, Natasha Lewis as Mrs Khan / Mum, Eleanor Patel as Mrs Sanders / Shop Customer / Swing, Fedrat Sadat as Mr Musa / Police Officer / Swing, Jonny Warr as Tom and Evie Weldon as Clarissa.
The creative team includes Director Monique Touko, Co-Revival Director Amy Crighton, Set and Costume Designer Lily Arnold, Lighting Designer Ryan Day, Sound Designer and Composer Giles Thomas, Movement Director Kloé Dean, Fight Director Maisie Carter, Casting Director Sophie Parrott CDG, Voice & Dialect Coach Salvatore Sorce, Associate Lighting Designer Charly Dunford, Associate Sound Designer Joe Dines, Costume Supervisor Natalia Alvarez, and Props Supervisor Eve Hawes.
Based on Raúf’s acclaimed novel, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a timely, humorous and heart-warming story about the power of kindness, encouraging families to engage in conversations around refugee rights.
The play tells the story of Ahmet, a nine-year-old boy who has fled his war-torn country. When his classmates discover the truth, they come up with ‘The Greatest Idea in the World’ – a daring plan to reunite Ahmet with his family, leading to an unexpected and often hilarious adventure.
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Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2019, the novel has been praised for its compassion and humour. The 2024 production received four-star reviews from WhatsOnStage, The Stage and the Daily Mail.
The Boy at the Back of the Class runs at Rose Theatre from 6 to 22 February 2026, with press night on 11 February at 6.30pm, before touring nationwide.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
