Kindertransport

A somewhat heartrending story of the children who were evacuated to England from Germany prior to World War Two.

The scene is set on a Rail Station with the many pieces of luggage which belonged to the evacuees.  Some brilliant acting by nine year old Eva Balding as the nine year old Jewish Eva. Eva Balding’s portrayal of the young Eva was superb. The relationship between her and her mother (Olivia France) was so emotional and heart wrenching. Congratulations on their accents.

The scene flashes back to home where Eva is packing her case with her treasured possessions. She packs some books and is afraid of the character Ratcatcher who appears now and then in her dreams. How dreadful it must have been to see the children go, never knowing if you would see them again and this comes over well with the dialogue between mother and child.

As the play progresses we see Eva now living in England now calling herself Evelyn and is played by Debbie Osborne living with her own family. Eva’s daughter is about to leave home and both mother and child are finding it hard to make the break. Faith is played by Charlotte Gedny who  is unearthing items in the loft, and unveiling  the truth of her mother’s background, which up until now has been swept under the carpet as things were in those days. Eva was one of the fortunate travellers who is taken in by Lil played by Cathy May who becomes her adopted mother.

I felt that at times the plot was confusing with the families and the passing of time and perhaps if the set had changed from the railway station may have helped.

All the cast worked hard to deliver an enjoyable evening so emotional, and at times painful to watch. It was a great pity that the audience was not larger, the cast deserved it.

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