By Robert Simonson
19 Apr 2006

Boy Boyett and Bill Haber, the American producers known professionally as Boyett Ostar, have extended their special relationship with the Royal National Theatre of London, Variety reported.

The duo made news in 2003 when they arranged to get first-dibs at handling any U.S. transfers of shows which premeired at the prestigious National. Since securing the deal, the producers have brought four London successes to Broadway: a revival of Tom Stoppard's Jumpers in 2004; the New York premiere of Michael Frayn's Democracy the same year; Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman in 2005; and the currently running The History Boys by Alan Bennett.

The first two proved box office disappointments. Jumpers ran for three months, while Democracy stayed for nearly six months—far less time than Frayn's earlier Broadway success, Copenhagen. The Pillowman performed better, winning critical praise, lasting half a year and eking out a profit. All three were nominated for Tony Awards, either as Best Revival of a Play or Best Play. Pillowman won two design Tonys.

The History Boys, which opens April 23, is expected to also do well by the Tonys.

Boyett Ostar's new agreement runs through the end of 2007. According to Variety, the company will next bring over Coram Boy, which is based on Jamila Gavin's novel about two boys in 18th-century England.