Studio 180 and the Canadian Stage Berkeley Street initiative puts on the North American premiere of Our Class, the award-winning drama by Tadeusz Słobodzianek, which takes an intimate look at the societies affected by Poland's pogroms
Tadeusz Słobodzianek play is the first Polish drama to be given the country's prestigious Nike Literary Prize. The story is set in 20th century Poland and is inspired by true events, such as the Jedwabne pogrom which led to the bloody demise of 300 Polish Jews in 1941.
Our Class explores the events leading up to a dark moment in history and follows the fortunes of ten one-time classmates from one century into the next. This haunting play is a courageous examination of loyalty and treason, individual bravery and collective cowardice and the actions that ripped apart a small community during the Second World War.
Among the weddings, births and deaths the play's audience follows the fates of the characters from ranging from the pre-war years, through both occupations, PRL, until modern times. One child writes a love poem to a girl and yet, just a few years later, tie her hands together and threaten to kill her if she tried to run away. The play asks: how did nationality, religion and ideology become more important than friendship? When the classmate who shared one's bench became an alien: the Enemy?
The play has been running in Poland since October 2010 at the Łomnicki Teatr na Woli . It originally premiered at the end of September at London's National Theatre. Directed by Joel Greenberg and based on the translation by Ryan Craig, the play premieres on the Canadian Stage on April 4, 2011. Joel Greenberg is a seasoned director and playwright, winner of the Chalmers and Dora theatrical awards. He is also He is the founding member and Artistic Director of Studio 180.
Our Class received star reviews from the Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Gaurdian, Independent, Mail on Sunday, Metro, Sunday Express, The Times and Time Out.
For more information, see: studio180theatre.com, www.canadianstage.com
"Majestically conveys a sense of history as a living organism."
Evening Standard
"A remarkable and powerful play."
Daily Telegraph
"Proves, with unsensational dignity, [that] you can never bury the truth."
Guardian UK
"Hauntingly effective."
Independent
Source: press release