New Boy tells the story of Mark, a teenager starting sixth form knowing that this is his last chance to impress; to be more popular, to be more obnoxious, to be the best informed about gynaecology. The mesmerisingly good-looking new boy Barry seems to be having trouble making friends. Everyone is afraid of him. He could be the perfect ally in Mark’s mission to enhance his social status and finally get a shag.

When New Boy, which is adapted from William Sutcliffe’s novel by director Russell Labey, was first staged at the Edinburgh Festival, it received a five star review from The Scotsman and was described by The Guardian as: “Adolescent desire, burgeoning sexuality, loss of virginity and cross-generational sex, all deftly handled in a cracking script.”

New Boy’s cast is led by rising star Nicholas Hoult, who first found fame in Hugh Grant film About A Boy. He has since made more of a name for himself starring in hit teen drama Skins.

Hoult is joined in New Boy’s cast by Mel Giedroyc, who is best known for her comic exploits alongside Sue Perkins on programmes such as Light Lunch. On stage, Giedroyc appeared as Fairy Liquid in the Barbican’s 2007 pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk, and starred in hit Eurovision musical Eurobeat at the Novello theatre.

The cast of New Boy is completed by former Hollyoaks actress Ciara Janson, Gregg Lowe and Phil Matthews.

For more about New Boy at the Trafalgar Studio 2, read the First Night Feature.