RUSSELL TOVEY - No.578

A Rudge Match

In The History Boys Russell Tovey plays the son of William "Bill" Rudge - a former scout in staircase No.7 at Christ Church Oxford

Rudge: My Dad, before he got married he was a college servant. This old, parson, who just been sitting there most of the interview, suddenly said was I related to Bill Rudge who was a scout in staircase seven in the ninety-fifties. So, said he was my Dad, and they said I was the kind of candidate they were looking for...(There is a piece edited here that's not in the movie)...Mind you I did do the other stuff, like Stalin was a sweetie and Wilfred Owen was a wuss. They said I was plainly someone who thought for himself, and exactly what the college rugger team needed.

Mrs Lintott: Are you not pleased?

Rudge: It's not like winning a match.

The name "William Rudge" is found on an actual inscription at Christ Church Oxford:

In Loving Memory of WILLIAM RUDGE died 4th January 1938 age 81  

Also wife HARRIETT died 30th August 1941 age 83

Press play for two audio scenes from the radio play version: