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English (play)

English
Written bySanaz Toossi
Directed byHamid Dehghani
Date premieredMay 10, 2024
Place premieredGoodman Theatre, Chicago (Owen Theatre)
Original languageEnglish
SubjectLanguage, Identity, Cultural Assimilation
SettingKaraj, Iran, 2008

English is a play by Sanaz Toossi, which had its premiere on May 10, 2024, at the Goodman Theatre's Owen Theatre in Chicago. The play explores themes of language, identity, and cultural assimilation, set in an English-language classroom in Karaj, Iran, in 2008.

Plot

The play is centered around four Iranian adults preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language, which is crucial for their ambitions to study or live abroad. The students include Elham, an aspiring medical student; Omid, who seeks a green card; Roya, who wants to communicate with her Canadian granddaughter; and Goli, who is earnest and determined to learn. Their teacher, Marjan, who has spent nine years in Manchester, England, enforces a strict English-only rule in class, creating tension and highlighting the personal and cultural conflicts each student faces.

Characters

  • Marjan (Roxanna Hope Radja): The English teacher who has returned to Iran after living in Manchester. She pushes her students to speak only English in class.
  • Elham (Nikki Massoud): A strong-willed and competitive student who struggles with the implication that mastering English means sacrificing her Iranian identity.
  • Omid (Pej Vahdat): Charming and self-assured, Omid enjoys watching English-language movies to improve his language skills.
  • Roya (Sahar Bibiyan): Soft-spoken but capable of fiery frustration, especially regarding her son.
  • Goli (Shadee Vossoughi): Sweet and earnest, representing the hardworking student who tries to stay out of conflicts.

Production

The Goodman Theatre's production of "English" was directed by Iranian director Hamid Dehghani.[1][2] It featured a talented cast and received acclaim for its thoughtful portrayal of the characters' struggles with language and identity. The set was designed by Courtney O’Neill, with costumes by Shahrzad Mazaheri, lighting by Jason Lynch, and sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman.[2] English is co-produced with the Guthrie Theater.[3]

Reception

Critics praised English for its witty and insightful script, as well as its ability to balance humor with serious themes.[2][3] The play has been described as a rich character study that delves into the power of language and the personal costs of learning a new language. Chicago Tribune praised the production for its "brilliant" portrayal of the characters' experiences, highlighting the play's global significance.[4]

References

  1. ^ "English at Goodman Theatre". Rachel Weinberg Reviews. May 22, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Podcast Review – English at Goodman Theatre". Chicago Broadcasting Network. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Watch a Scene from English at the Goodman Theatre". Broadway World. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Jones, Chris (May 21, 2024). "Review: In the brilliant 'English' at Goodman Theatre, a language class takes on global importance". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 29, 2024.

External links
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