"What would you do if the look in some old guy's face told you that being young was as good as it ever gets?" writes Ella Hickson in her 2011 play Boys.

If you need an answer to this question, have no fear because all will be revealed in Teddington Theatre Club's (TTC) upcoming production of Hickson's play.

TTC's production of Boys will run from Tuesday, 20 January – Saturday 24 January in Hampton Hill Theatre's Coward Studio.

The play, which explores the lives of four boys facing the end of university, consists of six characters: Timp (Joe Evans), Benny (Barney Healy-Smith, Sophie (Chloe Hunkin), Cam (Charlie Lacey-Harrison), Laura (Charlotte McCormack), and Mack (Jacob Taylor).

TTC's production of 'Boys' consists of a six-person cast (Credit: Teddington Theatre Club)

TTC's synopsis of Boys reads: "Exams are over. The bin bags are piling up. Four flatmates face the end of university—and the start of the rest of their lives.

"As the world outside threatens to pull them in every direction, they're clinging to each other, cheap beer, and one last summer of freedom.

"But with rising debts, broken dreams, and the fear of failure creeping in, the boys are about to discover that growing up means more than just moving out.

"Sharp, funny, and painfully honest, Boys is a searing portrait of a generation on the edge: caught between the promise of youth and the pressure of the future.

"Ella Hickson's explosive play captures the beauty of a moment when everything is possible — and nothing is certain."

The director of TTC's production of Boys, Josh Clarke, who performed in a Reading production of the play in 2014, calls Hickson's work a "love song to university and being young".

In an exclusive interview with Nub News, he said: "I think lots of people will find different things that they find relatable in this show – be it positive or negative from the university experience."

TTC's next production is Ella Hickson's 'Boys' Credit: Teddington Theatre Club)

Speaking about why he chose to direct TTC's production of Boys, Clarke said: "Having been in another production of the show in 2014, I absolutely loved it, and it's really interesting being on the other end now.

"I think when you're playing a character in a play, you're inwards looking on your character and learning your lines, so you don't really get an overall view of the play, and that's what I've found quite refreshing.

"Directing actually allows you to be a lot more aware of everything else that's going on.

"And it's a really, really well-written piece of theatre, and the characters are so well developed and all individually unique as well.

"So, I've found that really fun and rewarding to explore with a really talented cast that I've got."

Clarke explained that over 20 people turned up for the production's auditions and that "it was a very difficult process to whittle it down to the cast of six".

He added: "They're all individually brilliant, but then when they come together, it's almost a character in itself. And getting to know them as well and hang out with them and build friendships with them has been an absolute joy. It makes this whole process worth it."

TTC have been rehearsing for this production since September and rehearse three times a week, which Clarke says "has been going really well".

"There's a lot of things to kind of get your head around in terms of set and props etc, but it's going really, really well," he added.

"What's been lovely is that the whole team get involved in kind of debating and analysing different pieces of the text.

"And I think as a director, I always find it quite a collaborative experience. I'm not somebody who tells you to go do that, go here etc.

"I'm more like, 'if an actor has a good idea, then we'll explore it'. So, we're all doing this together and all of us are going to be rewarded for it. We actually love it. And I think that's making the whole experience more rewarding because we're more passionate about it."

While there has previously been an "edited down" version of Boys performed in Soho, Clarke says that he has decided to remain authentic to Hickson's original play.

Speaking about why people should see TTC's production, Clarke said: "I think people should come and see Boys because it's a very edgy, gritty, contemporary piece of theatre, which is going to work brilliantly well in the studio space.

"It's very intimate and Boys is a little slice of life and the university experience and what it means to be young and grow up. The play was written in 2011, but it's still very, very relatable to 2025, and I can't wait for everyone to come see it."

Tickets for TTC's production of Boys at Hampton Hill Theatre are on sale now and can be bought here.