Our Class - National Theatre (Cottesloe)
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
RYAN Craig’s version of Tadeusz Slobodzianek’s new play, Our Class, opens in the National’s Cottesloe Theatre on September 23, 2009 (previews from September 16) before continuing in repertoire.
In Poland in 1925, a group of Jewish and Catholic schoolchildren declare their ambitions: one to be a fireman, one a film star, one a pilot, another a doctor. They are learning the ABC.
As the children grow up, their country is torn apart by invading armies, first Soviet and then Nazi. Internal grievances deepen as fervent nationalism develops. Friends betray each other and violence escalates until these ordinary people carry out an extraordinary and monstrous act that darkly resonates to this day.
Tadeusz Slobodzianek confronts his country’s involvement in the atrocities of the last century and follows the one-time classmates – amidst the weddings, parades, births, deaths, emigrations and reconciliations – into the next.
Bijan Sheibani, who will be making his directorial debut at the National, directs a cast that includes Michael Gould, Tamzin Griffin, Amanda Hale, Paul Hickey, Edward Hogg, Lee Ingleby, Sinead Matthews, Rhys Rusbatch, Justin Salinger and Jason Watkins.
Sheibani is the Artistic Director of ATC for whom he directed a co-production of The Brothers Size with the Young Vic, and the Olivier Award-winning production of Gone Too Far! with the Royal Court. His other directing credits include Other Hands and Flush (Soho Theatre), and Party Time and One for the Road (BAC).
One of Poland’s leading playwrights, Słobodzianek’s plays include Turlajgroszek (Roll-a-Pea) and Merlin, which won Fringe Firsts at the Edinburgh Festivals in 1993 and 1994.
Craig’s plays include The Glass Room (Hampstead Theatre), What We Did To Weinstein (Menier Chocolate Factory) and the Fringe First winner, Broken Road. His work in TV and radio includes Saddam’s Tribe (Channel 4), and a four-part adaptation of Tom Sharpe’s novel The Great Pursuit (BBC Radio 4).
Our Class is designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Jon Clark, choreography by Aline David and sound by Ian Dickinson.