‘English’ // Melbourne Theatre Company
‘English’ is benign.
The Merriam–Webster dictionary defines amusing as “giving amusement: diverting”. Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of ‘English’ is, if nothing else, amusing and diverting.
Sanaz Toossi’s play about an English class in Tehran won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2023. The story follows the trials of four students, played by Maia Abbas, Delaram Ahmadi, Marjan Mesbahi, and Osamah Sami, and their teacher, played by Salme Geransar. The comedy stems from their attempts at learning a new language and- you guessed it- they all learn a lesson by the end.
The first thing that struck me upon entering the theatre was Kat Chan’s detailed set design. Besides the expected classroom decor, such as tables, chairs, and whiteboards, piping lined the wall and there were electric cables for a switch. If it weren’t for the stage lights I could have sworn I was looking at the real thing.
But neat set design is only half the battle, and arguably the lesser half; the stage matters less than the show which happens on it. ‘English’ is, in its own words, “a big-hearted comedy”, the only problem being there’s nothing inherently humorous about the situation it presents. I don’t mean to sound like a Negative Nancy, but what is so funny about people trying to speak English? You’d be forgiven for thinking that using this as your sole comedic device can seem condescending.
Tasnim Hossain, the director, prevents it from being so by showing that she is clearly on the side of the characters. They are treated with compassion and performed with dignity. In fact, the drama works better than the comedy. Unfortunately, this aspect is given less attention; the character’s motivations are unclear and the results of their actions are similarly disregarded.
The show’s essential problem is that it strives too hard to be inoffensive. This is both a relief and a concern; relief because too much art is tainted by needless ideology, and concern because it neglects an important part of the situation. The characters express frustration at learning a Western language and the show suggests this takes a toll on them-a perfectly valid viewpoint. But it doesn’t say why these students, especially the women, want to leave Iran, and it doesn’t suggest the stakes of not doing so.
But judging from the crowd’s standing ovation, the show is a hit. It’s easy to see why; it’s essentially a feel-good story. Unfortunately, its light style doesn’t meet the seriousness of the substance. It does not challenge the audience and there is no threat that our worldviews will be changed.
Perhaps the artists trust the audience is aware of the situation in Iran. If that is the case, they have more faith in Western enlightenment than I do. Seeing the crowd rise to their feet for the play, I couldn’t help but think they didn’t really grasp the dire situation for women in Iran, which has one of the worst human rights records in the world. And that’s nothing to feel good about.
‘English’ performs until Tuesday, 29 August 2024 at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner. For more information visit their website.
