There used to be an empty chair at the back of the class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He’s nine years old (just like me), but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets – not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!

After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmet’s classmates have ‘The Greatest Idea in the World’ – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. An unexpected and often hilarious adventure follows, all topped off with a terrific twist.

Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home.

Ages: 7+

WINNER of the Blue Peter Book Award 2019
WINNER of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2019

The Boy at the Back of the Class trailer

  • ★★★★
    ‘A clear, compassionate children’s play for today’     Daily Mail

  • ★★★★
    ‘Educational in the best sense’     WhatsOnStage

  • ★★★★★
    ‘An incredibly striking piece of theatre’     Broadway World

  • ★★★★★
    ‘Exactly the kind of story we need to be sharing with younger audiences’     Theatre Weekly

  • ★★★★★
    ‘A timely and moving piece of theatre’     Rachel Reviews

  • ★★★★
    ‘A heart warming story about social action that is accessible to all’     All That Dazzle

  • ★★★★
    ‘An energetic, emotive and imaginative adaptation that deserves to be seen by all ages’     West End Best Friend

  • ★★★★
    ‘Joyous adaptation of Onjali Q Raúf’s novel’
    ‘You leave the theatre high on the thought that communication through kindness really can overcome all’     The Stage

  • ★★★★
    ‘Charming, poignant, and genuinely moving’     Time & Leisure

  • ‘A lovely, warm-hearted celebration of courage and friendship’ The Guardian

  • ‘This is a beautiful, open-hearted debut that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness’ Book Trust

  • ‘A book that opens up a dialogue that we need to be having with our young people’ TES

  • ‘Bravely tackling the difficult issue of refugees, The Boy At The Back of The Class shows us how children can sometimes get it so much better than adults’ Angels & Urchins

  • ‘Utterly delightful. Centres on the importance of friendship and encourages children not to fear those who are different’ Mail On Sunday

  • ‘Raúf's book is at once tearjerking and chuckle-inducing and will go a long way to restore faith in human nature’ Sunday Post

Tour Dates 2024

Production photos

  • Abdul-Malik Janneh, Petra Joan-Athene, Sasha Desouza-Willock and Gordon Millar. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Farshid Rokey. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Farshid Rokey and Zoe Zak. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Farshid Rokey. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Gordon Millar, Abdul-Malik Janneh, Sasha Desouza-Willock and Petra Joan-Athene. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Gordon Millar, Petra Joan-Athene, Sasha Desouza-Willock and Abdul-Malik Janneh. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Joe McNamara and Zoe Zak. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Joe McNamara and Zoe Zak. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Priya Davdra and Petra Joan-Athene. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Priya Davdra and Sasha Desouza-Willock. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Sasha Desouza-Willock, Abdul-Malik Janneh and Gordon Millar. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Sasha Desouza-Willock, Gordon Millar, Petra Joan-Athene and Abdul-Malik Janneh. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Sasha Desouza-Willock, Petra Joan-Athene, Gordon Millar and Abdul-Malik Janneh. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • The cast of The Boy at the Back of the Class. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • The cast of The Boy at the Back of the Class. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • The cast of The Boy at the Back of the Class. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • The cast of The Boy at the Back of the Class. Photo by Manuel Harlan
  • Zoe Zak, Farshid Rokey, Priya Davdra and Joe McNamara. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Rehearsal photos

  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal
  • The Boy at the Back of the Class in rehearsal

Photos by Manuel Harlan

Education

Class Resource Pack for Teachers

This pack contains practical activity ideas for teachers to choose from, to be used alongside the study of The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf. Our activities use creative, active approaches to explore different themes. The activities can be used in any order and you do not have to use all of them. They can be adapted for use with different themes and events from the story, or with other stories you study. Activity ideas are split into different sections, which can be found in the contents.

Download the Resource Pack (PDF, 1.6MB)

Download the Resource Pack (PDF, 1.6MB)

Cast

Creatives