Simon Furniss plays Anne Frank’s father Otto. By Josh Gardiner
IF JEWISH teenager Anne Frank had survived the Jewish holocaust during the Second World War, she would be 87 today. The stories of inhumanity that surfaced after the 1940s Nazi regime are slowly slipping away from us. Some six million people perished in the European holocaust and their stories need to be heard so discrimination and hate can never rule again.
IF JEWISH teenager Anne Frank had survived the Jewish holocaust during the Second World War, she would be 87 today. The stories of inhumanity that surfaced after the 1940s Nazi regime are slowly slipping away from us. Some six million people perished in the European holocaust and their stories need to be heard so discrimination and hate can never rule again.
Wonthaggi Theatrical Group is stripping back the smoke and mirrors of theatre magic and focusing on the human condition for its production of The Diary of Anne Frank, one of literature’s most-read works after the Bible. The Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre will be transformed into the Secret Annexe”, where the Frank family hid for two years while Nazi terrorism was knocking at their door.
Not only is this an important tale of courage and bravery, it also focuses on the beauty of family and companionship and how a community can defy over-riding terror. Thirteen-year-old Anne Frank guides us through day-to-day life in the Secret Annexe while living in constant fear of her fate: would she be found and shot; or be liberated and free to live in her country?
Unfortunately, this play holds way too many parallels with today's cultural and political climate. In 2016, there’s no chance the Franks would have survived in their secret annexe. Let’s hope that as a community we can learn from our history and work together to ensure it never happens again.
A confronting experience, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group's Anne Frank aims to challenge, enlighten, shock and inspire audiences to question their views and observe how we as individuals can be a true catalyst for change.
The play has a cast of 13 talented and dedicated South Gippslanders who have met holocaust survivors and studied German and Dutch life closely to retell this important story and deliver a wake-up call.
“Despite everything, I truly believe people are good at heart,” Anne Frank wrote. I hope this production will inspire the audience to follow Anne’s trajectory.
The Diary of Anne Frank is at the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre from August 19-27. There are evening shows on the 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th and 27th and matinees on the 21st and 27th. Tickets are available at www.wtg.org.au.
Leongatha actor Josh Gardiner is directing The Diary of Anne Frank for the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. This is his directorial debut.
Not only is this an important tale of courage and bravery, it also focuses on the beauty of family and companionship and how a community can defy over-riding terror. Thirteen-year-old Anne Frank guides us through day-to-day life in the Secret Annexe while living in constant fear of her fate: would she be found and shot; or be liberated and free to live in her country?
Unfortunately, this play holds way too many parallels with today's cultural and political climate. In 2016, there’s no chance the Franks would have survived in their secret annexe. Let’s hope that as a community we can learn from our history and work together to ensure it never happens again.
A confronting experience, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group's Anne Frank aims to challenge, enlighten, shock and inspire audiences to question their views and observe how we as individuals can be a true catalyst for change.
The play has a cast of 13 talented and dedicated South Gippslanders who have met holocaust survivors and studied German and Dutch life closely to retell this important story and deliver a wake-up call.
“Despite everything, I truly believe people are good at heart,” Anne Frank wrote. I hope this production will inspire the audience to follow Anne’s trajectory.
The Diary of Anne Frank is at the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre from August 19-27. There are evening shows on the 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th and 27th and matinees on the 21st and 27th. Tickets are available at www.wtg.org.au.
Leongatha actor Josh Gardiner is directing The Diary of Anne Frank for the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. This is his directorial debut.