San Francisco audiences are now witnessing a powerful new chapter in the career of Chulpan Khamatova, a celebrated Russian actress who has found herself exiled from her homeland due to her outspoken opposition to the war in Ukraine. Khamatova is making her English-language stage debut in the Arlekin Players Theatre’s production of “Our Class,” a searing drama that explores the dark side of human nature and the fragility of community. The play, based on the true story of a Polish school class whose members turned on one another during World War II, resonates deeply with Khamatova’s own experiences and the current geopolitical landscape.
For Khamatova, the role isn’t simply a professional challenge, but a deeply personal one. “I saw the present in New York, and I really liked the theme of how quickly people who are in some kind of community, because of outside forces, lose their humanity,” she explained in an interview translated from Russian. “This is a true story that happened in this town, when you have your own neighbors [turn on you]. It seems like it was a long time ago, and it will never happen again. But, now, look. We’ve somehow ended up in this trap again.”
Khamatova’s decision to speak out against the war led to significant personal upheaval. She left Russia with her three children, seeking refuge in Latvia, a move that meant rebuilding her life and career from the ground up. The experience, she says, has been fraught with challenges, including financial restrictions imposed by international sanctions. “It was not easy, but we survived,” she recounts. “I had no idea what to do next, how to live and how to feed them. I can’t say that the European world supported me in this decision, because all the laws and all the rules were aimed at making life outside Russia as difficult as possible for people who were against the war and left.”
A Story of Collective Guilt and Individual Responsibility
“Our Class,” written by Polish playwright Tadeusz Słobodzianek, follows a group of classmates from a little Polish town who, during the Nazi occupation, are implicated in the death of a Jewish neighbor. The play doesn’t offer easy answers or clear-cut villains, instead presenting a nuanced portrait of how ordinary people can be drawn into acts of violence and betrayal. Khamatova plays Rachelka, a Jewish character whose fate is inextricably linked to the choices made by her classmates.
“I really love my character in Our Class, Rachelka,” Khamatova says. “I sense sorry for her. Not only because she is Jewish or lost her family, but likewise because she has lost her soul. I don’t judge her in any way. I can’t imagine myself going through such trials. The situation broke her. She did not burn in the shed, but she died on the inside. She died as a person who had hope and faith that decent and justice will somehow prevail. She swam with the current and betrayed the people she loved. I appreciate how the play shows that no one is absolutely bad or absolutely good.”
Finding Common Ground in a Divided World
The Arlekin Players Theatre, founded by Igor Golyak, is itself a collective of artists with roots in the former Soviet Union. This shared history has fostered a unique dynamic within the production. “I share a dressing room with two wonderful American actresses, Deborah Martin and Gigi Watson,” Khamatova shares. “We discuss everything — the situation in America, the situation in Russia, the war there and the war here. Unfortunately Notice many unhappy topics to discuss — the rising levels of antisemitism.”
Khamatova emphasizes the importance of seeing individuals beyond national identities. “I do not believe in dividing people by nationalities at all. I look at the individual person. In all nationalities there are amazing people, and also everywhere there are scum. I think this construction was unnecessary when civilization was formed. Of course, I respect and believe in certain cultural traditions, but I don’t think it’s possible to divide people by nationalities. I’m absolutely against it. That’s how the Holocaust started.”
The production of “Our Class” comes at a time of heightened global tensions and rising polarization. Khamatova hopes the play will prompt audiences to reflect on their own values and responsibilities. “I incredibly much hope that the audience thinks about how the themes in the play relate to their own lives, not just the lives of some long-gone historical characters. There are just so many nuances and so many different interesting stories, both in our protagonists’ youth and old age. I hope everyone in the audience imagines themselves facing these kinds of choices — a brave choice or a cowardly choice, to stay with yourself or to lose yourself. To go with the majority or to go against the current.”
A New Beginning, A Familiar Struggle
Transitioning to an English-language role presented its own set of challenges for Khamatova, a veteran of the Russian stage and screen. “It was interesting for me to act in an English-language play. I wanted to immerse myself in a new world, a new mentality, and it turned out to be very close to home, which made me very happy. I was a little afraid that with my Russian training, I may seem too arrogant, too persistent. It turned out not to be the case.”
Khamatova’s personal history, growing up Tatar in Kazan, Russia, also informs her understanding of the play’s themes. “The dominant ethnicity and language in the Soviet Union was Russian. Up until a certain age, I could not say my name — I was too shy. It was easier for me to introduce myself as Olya, Masha, Anya or some sort of typical Russian name. These experiences shape your personality, and they develop into like layers of bad skin that you have to shed as you get older.”
“Our Class” is currently running at the Arlekin Players Theatre in San Francisco through April 7, 2024. Tickets and showtimes are available on the Arlekin Players Theatre website. The production serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of confronting difficult truths and the enduring relevance of art in a world grappling with conflict and division.
If you or someone you realize is struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression related to current events, resources are available. You can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
What resonates most deeply with audiences will likely be the play’s unsettling question: what would *you* do?
