Goodman Theatre’s “English” Is An Outstanding Piece Of Work
English is an intimate play that follows a group of Iranian adults taking an English class in preparation for an English proficiency exam. Hilariously funny, poignantly thoughtful, and incredibly produced, this is a can’t-miss show.
There are thousands of different languages spoken in the world. We are all familiar with the experience of hearing people speak a language that we don’t know and we have all met people whose secondary language is the one we speak fluently. But have you ever given any thought to what may be behind the conversation about language? The thoughts and feelings involved in becoming bilingual? This is where the play English comes in.
Goodman Theatre’s new production of English – the Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama in 2023 – is a brilliant look at four Iranian adult students who are learning English in order to pass the TOEFL standardized exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and for various other reasons. Taught by their teacher, Marjan, they participate in exercises each week with the goal of being fluent in English by the end.
While the class begins with four attentive, Farsi-speaking learners who are struggling with English and their patient instructor, the audience slowly gets to know each character on a more personal level.
One woman desperately wants to have a relationship with her grandchild who lives with her son in Canada. Her son has insisted she learn to communicate in English, and so, to that end, she is learning. She has concerns that her traditions and language may be left behind, but these relationships are vitally important to her future.
Another young woman has passed the MCAT exam, but cannot attend university in another country because she has long struggled to pass the TOEFL. Still another is 18 years old and has her whole life ahead of her, with the potential of additional opportunities outside of Iran.
Everyone is looking for a better life in their own way, but does that mean that the life you live right now is not valuable? By choosing to broaden your horizons with a new language and new surroundings, what are you leaving behind?
The company of this show is thoroughly in sync, in touch with their characters, and extremely talented. The five actors (Sahar Bibiyan, Nikki Massoud, Roxanna Hope Radja, Pej Vahdat, and Shadee Vossoughi) carry the show flawlessly and passionately while bringing both belly laughs and tears to the audience.
The set is a classroom with a view of Karaj, Iran out the window, and languages are spoken such that the audience can understand nearly everything. Minor costume changes are often done on stage with an audio soundtrack, and there is a bit of a strobe light effect, in that the lights do flash on and off frequently with the changing of scenes.
On the whole, this production is a must-see. With serious themes of identity, heritage, and cultural assimilation, you will be fascinated with how much you laugh and how many insights you have.
English runs 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
Goodman Theatre: English Chicago Review – English is playing at The Goodman Theatre through 6/16/24. Tickets can be purchased on the Goodman Theatre website or by calling (312) 443-3800. Goodman Theatre is located at 170 North Dearborn in Chicago.