English is a powerful, inspiring, and thought-provoking show about languages and cultural identity. It explores themes of assimilation, pride, and the search for a place to belong. The result is an emotional journey for personal power in a place where rights are being restricted.
English is set in an Iranian classroom in 2009. Marjan (Ghazal Partou) is teaching advanced English, as a second language, to three women and one man. Each person has a different reason for taking the class, either for work, studies, or for family living outside the country. Marjan loves speaking in English, as does Goli (Aylin Oyan Salahshoor) an 18-year-old girl who works hard and improves with steady progress. Roya (Banafsheh Taherian) is a grand-mother who needs to learn the language so she can speak to her grandchild in Canada. But Roya questions her son’s assimilation- changing his name, no Farsi in the home. She expresses pain and anger over why one culture is set aside for the other.
Elham (Ghazal Azarbad) is bold and outspoken. She needs to learn English for studies and work overseas. She struggles in the class but is determined to learn without neglecting her mother tongue and Iranian culture. She even questions Marjan’s love of English. Omid (Sepehr Reybod) speaks English too well for the class and they question his intentions. This becomes more problematic when he begins flirtations with a receptive Marjan.
The characters speak in two different accents to show when they are speaking English or Farsi. The effect shows how the words sound and the effort it takes for the students. As the lessons continue, it becomes apparent that whichever language they speak, it is not just a means to an end but tied to their sense of self. Their journeys are complex but very moving and not unfamiliar.
The cast is brilliant. Bravo! They bring intelligence, engagement, wit, and warmth to their characters. They give depth to a seemingly simple story. The set is open and spare but effective and dynamic. The space allows the characters to engage intimately even though it is a classroom. The lighting and visual effects add richness without distraction.
Language is more than just a tool for communication. It is tied tightly to a culture or identity. There is room to learn more ways to speak to each other. But it doesn’t need to come at the cost of setting aside where you come from.
Photo credit: Dahlia Katz
English. By Sanaz Toossi. Directed by Anahita Dehbonehie and Guillermo Verdecchia. Show continues until April 2, at Segal Centre, 5170 Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montreal. Call the box office 514-739-7944 or go to www.segalcentre.org .
For COVID Protocols, please go to https://segalcentre.org/en/coronavirus
