OUR CLASS
by Tadeusz Slobodzianek
English version by Ryan Craig
April 4–30, 2011
Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs
in association with Canadian Stage
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Dora Award Nomination: The ensemble – OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE / ENSEMBLE
In 1925 Poland, a group of Jewish and Catholic schoolchildren declare their ambitions: to be a fireman, a film star, a doctor. As the children grow up their country is torn apart by invading armies, and internal grievances deepen as fervent nationalism develops. The tension escalates into violence as these ordinary people carry out an extraordinary and monstrous act.
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.
In October 2010, Our Class won the 2010 NIKE Award, Poland’s top literary prize – the first time the prestigious award has gone to a play (read more). The premiere production ran in its English version from September 2009 to January 2010 at London’s National Theatre in the UK. The play had its Polish premiere at the ‘Na Woli’ Theatre in Warsaw, in October 2010.
Studio 180’s production was the North American premiere, and our third offering as part of the Berkeley Street Project initiative at Canadian Stage. Our Class was listed among the theatrical highlights of 2011 by the National Post, the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail and Theatromania.ca, and as one of the top 10 productions of the year (alongside The Normal Heart) by Lynn Slotkin of The Slotkin Letter/CIUT 89.5 FM.
DIRECTED BY Joel Greenberg
FEATURING David Beazely, Jonathan Goad, Jessica Greenberg, Ryan Hollyman, Mark McGrinder, Kimwun Perehinec, Alex Poch-Goldin, Dylan Roberts, Michael Rubenfeld & Amy Rutherford
SET & COSTUME DESIGN John Thompson
LIGHTING DESIGN Kimberly Purtell
SOUND DESIGN Michael Laird
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Lily Ling
ORIGINAL SCORE Sophie Solomon
STAGE MANAGER Robert Harding
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Liz Campbell
PRODUCTION MANAGERS Derek Bruce & Nathaniel Kennedy
MOVEMENT Trevor Copp
HEAD OF WARDROBE Michelle Bailey
2011 END-OF-YEAR REVIEWS
Listed among the theatre highlights of the season by
NATIONAL POST
GLOBE AND MAIL
TORONTO STAR
SLOTKIN LETTER/CIUT 89.5 FM (Top 10)
THEATROMANIA.CA (Top 12)
“Superb theatre! Brilliant performances! Joel Greenberg’s staging and the work of his entire cast in this Studio 180 production are excellent!”
TORONTO STAR
“The place was packed… and you could have heard a pin drop. A compelling, moving, soul-shaking production! Theatre at its best! Should not be missed!”
THESLOTKINLETTER.COM
“MESMERIZING! Director Joel Greenberg’s cast is a true ensemble. Don’t miss this finely staged show!”
NNNN NOW MAGAZINE
“Tremendously powerful! Heart-rending… Necessary viewing!”
★★★★ EYE WEEKLY
“Daring… gripping play! The acting ensemble brims with talent. Director Joel Greenberg is a storytelling wizard.”
★★★1/2 GLOBE & MAIL
“Powerful! Outstanding! Remarkable! Amazing! An emotional evening… theatre at its best! I highly recommend it!”
MOONEYONTHEATRE.COM
“Studio 180’s Joel Greenberg and a dedicated 10-member cast tackle the story with unflinching courage.”
★★★★ TORONTO SUN
