AS GERARD Murphy says, only Alan Bennett could take the seemingly dry subject of education and turn it into something witty, sharply-observed, and at times, controversial

But that's what the acclaimed playwright did with The History Boys, which arrives at The Regent Theatre on Monday, March 22.

Gerard is playing Hector in Bennett's award-winning tale of life in a Yorkshire grammar school.

The play follows a boisterous group of sixth form boys as they prepare for admission to Oxford and Cambridge and has now won three Olivier and six Tony awards.

Royal Shakespeare Company actor Gerard is used to fielding tough questions about his role as Hector.

That's because the play's popular English tutor, who champions knowledge rather than learning by rote in order to pass exams, is rather too fond of the young men under his charge.

"We've all had teachers like Hector," says Gerard. "He doesn't believe in exams, but he does believe in the value of knowledge.

"He loves teaching in the old way and despises the teaching that came in when pupils tried to aspire to get into posh universities. He really comes from a different era.

"When I'm asked the question about his relationship with the boys, I always say he is someone who slightly abuses his position of trust, but he is a sad man for whom the boys are his life.

"He does cross the line, but it's not a dark play about a seriously abusive predator. These students are 18 and in a way, complicit in what happens. Hector is a lonely individual whose hands do sometimes stray."

Chris Luscombe directs the first major revival of The History Boys since the original production was staged at the National Theatre in May 2004.

A year after that, a film adaptation was made with the entire original stage cast, many of whom, including James Corden and Dominic Cooper, have since gone on to become household names.

"It is a controversial play in many senses," says 22-year-old Rob Delaney, who plays Scripps in the new production. "Everybody comes away from the theatre with moral questions about Hector's relationship with the boys.

"It really does make you think about what it's all about and why it was written."

Bennett's previous works include Talking Heads, Single Spies, Forty Years On, Habeas Corpus, The Madness of George III and The Lady In The Van.

His new play, The Habit Of Art, an imagined encounter between W H Auden and Benjamin Britten, is currently enjoying a sold out run at the National Theatre.

"Each of the lads in The History Boys has a different streak of life," says Rob. "You've got the sporty one, the rough lad and the matinee idol-type one. Scripps is a wise observer and has quite a lot of direct audience address. He's really a mediator between everyone."

As well as taking on the part, talented pianist Rob is also assistant musical director on the play.

"There's a real chemistry between the cast members," he says. "Chris has done a great job of getting together a group of eight lads who really balance each other out."

"Audiences do love Alan Bennett," adds Gerard. "He's a genius because he can write about very serious subjects while still pleasing the crowd. How he does it, I don't know."

The History Boys is at The Regent Theatre from Monday, March 22 to Saturday, March 27. Call the box office on 0844 871 7627 for tickets and performance times.