Post by Kelly White

Does your Philadelphia accent deceive you when you’re visiting a foreign country? You might need a European Lesson, the kind that no amount of Zagat guides can lend you. Norwegian director Jo Strømgren chose Philly for the world premiere of his latest, and we’re glad to have him. “I have a specialty of working with nonsensical languages, which means that people just talk and talk in so-called foreign language and the audience has to associate themselves with what’s being said on stage,” explains Strømgren, “…We are trying to make anthropological lecture into a show.”

The play will raise the topics of American influence and daily Slovakian life and customs, laced with the right amount of comedy so as not to come across as a full-on lecture. The actors hail from Philadelphia, with Aaron Cromie and Jeb Kreage among the cast and up for the challenge of their worldly roles. Will it change your mind about your upcoming Nordic trek? That’s not Strømgren’s aim.

“People are the same anywhere, I think. You look around, very few people think about that.”

The European Lesson at Black Box Theater next to Festival Bar, August 29th - September 6

626 North 5th Street, Philadelphia PA 19122
www.livearts-fringe.org

The European Lesson @ Philly Fringe
www.pafringe.com/2008/details.cfm?id=2885