The Diary of Anne Frank was compulsory reading when I was back at school. We even read it in German lessons. It had such an impact, it was one of my must-do’s when I went to Amsterdam as a young backpacker. Climbing the stairs behind the bookcase to the secret loft where it all took place was viscerally impactful.
Drew Anthony Creative is now bringing that experience to the stage with The Diary Of Anne Frank at the Heath Ledger Theatre.
Performed on one set, the loft, we follow the lives of Anne Frank, her sister Margot and parents, Otto and Edith. In total, with the Van Pels family and dentist, Fritz Pfeffer, seven Jewish people hid for more than two years in this attic above a business, trying to escape capture by the occupying Nazis in World War II. They were helped by a couple of Mr Frank’s employees including Miep Gies.
All the performances were brilliant. Anne Frank played by Chloe-Jean Vincent was outstanding. Her interpretation of an awkward teenager thrust into unimaginable horror is gripping stuff. We loved how the highly relatable 13 year old hyperactive movements in a small space annoyed most of the adult characters on stage. We watch Anne Frank’s relationship with Peter Van Pels grow from contempt to something deeper.
Peter is played by Perth based Nathan Hampson creating the nervous, introverted young man obsessed by his pet cat.
Peter’s father provides much of the conflict in the loft and Matt Dyktynski portrays him with the pent up anger of their dire situation.
Although the play is unrelentingly grim and tense, there are moments of humour and positivity that skilfully provides some respite for the audience. Anne is usually the source of laughs as she breaks the tension by dancing, singing or piping up with cheeky comments.
The ending, and most people know what is coming, was handled beautifully by explaining what happened to each family member and poignantly quoting Anne Frank from the diary. Many an audience member was left wiping a tear.
The Diary of Anne Frank is essential viewing and reading for everyone. When a child of 14 or 15 can write like this insightful diary we must take note.
‘What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.’
The Diary of Anne Frank is now playing at the Heath Ledger Theatre until the 26th July.