The Diary of Anne Frank

This group and their production team certainly do not shy away from difficult, challenging pieces. Last year The Crucible and this year The Diary of Anne Frank!

 

The direction by Michael Jones McCaw and Lucy Fullman worked really well with no hold ups as the whole area in hiding was displayed across 3 distinct areas so the scenes flowed together. This kept the illusion throughout of their isolation from the rest of the world as no entrance by any stage crew was required. The lighting worked and created great atmosphere for many scenes and for an opening night there were very few mistakes. The players were miked which worked well so the whispered speech in some scenes could still be heard. The staging, props and costumes looked fitting to the characters and time.

 

Every one of the players in this production put in super performances starting with Maddie Bate as Meip and George Devlin as Mr Crayler the saviours of the families in hiding. Both these young actors delivery was great, clear and focussed. They were the families link to the outside world and for the families sake they had to appear confident despite the obvious fear they felt themselves at keeping Jews in hiding.

 

Mr Dussel was nicely played by Kieran Lever and his annoying attitude and sarcasm in such an isolated and confined space was greatly played. Mr & Mrs Vann Dann played by Sam Luttrell-Henshaw and India Crompton on the night I was in were very good in their roles. As guests of the Frank family it must have been difficult to always feel beholden to them. Mr Vann Danns hunger scene was well portrayed and India as Mrs Vann Dann played her desperation well.

 

Kit Fullman was lovely as Peter the son of the Vann Danns. He had a calmness and awkwardness of character that suited this role really well. His blossoming relationship with Anne was beautifully portrayed and felt very sincere from indifference initially to deep caring of each other later in the play.

 

Abby Bardsley put in a great performance as Margot Frank the more studious and quieter of the two Frank sisters. Her role was a difficult one as the youngest person in the house playing the younger quieter sister but this was a wonderful performance. Never out of character and making the lines that she had stand out, her interactions with her fellow actors worked beautifully.

 

I loved Aimee Chapman as Mrs Frank. She had a melancholy all the way through and again was never out of character. Her facial expressions were superb showing a deep sadness at the family’s plight. Her delivery and diction was spot on and the care of her girls was evident throughout. A lovely touching performance.

 

Tom Bain was utterly brilliant as Mr Frank. Perfect diction and clear delivery projected throughout left me feeling bereft at the beginning of the show which starts with his visit back to the hiding place after the war has ended having found out what has happened to his family. This young man has a lovely presence on stage which is very real and authentic. His scenes with his daughters were lovely, caring and thoughtful.

 

The lead of Anne was played beautifully by Roshni Parmer- Hill who had chopped her hair for the role! This young lady played the 14 year old Anne with both humour and pathos but with a maturity well beyond her years. Her naivety, growing feelings for Peter, transforming into a woman and her natural chatty personality which could be annoying to other members of the house, all shone through in Roshni’s amazing portrayal. Her monologues to front in spotlight were beautifully delivered and pulled the narrative together. I remember reading The Diary of Anne Frank when I was 14 and it had a huge impact on me as my Grandma was Jewish. This performance did the same and made me feel connected to the story again which is testament to Roshni’s portrayal in such an iconic role. Thank you also for the chat after the performance which I thoroughly enjoyed too, learning about your trip to Auschwitz and your preparation for the role.

 

The whole play was a delight to watch considering the subject matter and everyone of the production team and cast should be very proud of their achievements. Thank you for the invitation and hope to see you all soon.

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