As befits South London’s leading fringe theatre, this production, with new adaptation of the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning play, is proving a box office winner.
It is beautifully acted by a cast of 12 and the first commendation is for the Amsterdam attic set, in which eight people hide from the Nazis for more than two years, only to be betrayed just before the end of World War II.
While Sally Brooks as teenager Anne Frank, who resents the claustrophobic life forced on her and the others, has the lead - and looking a little older than Anne’s 14 years - it is Anthony Wise as her father, Otto, who dominates. He was one of the few survivors and stands as a pillar of calm and leadership among the others.
Brooks’ Anne, a would-be writer recording events and her feelings in her diary, displays her willpower, horror and frustration, while Celia Williams as her mother impresses with her matronly concern.
The other family hiding with the Franks are the three Ven Pels, played by Sioned Jones as mother, Mark Crook as father, and Jared Fortune as their 16-year-old son.
Jones catches the eye as fur coat-loving Mrs Van Pels, while other engaging performances come from Dawn Murphy as the woman risking her life to hide and feed everyone and Gareth Richardson as the obnoxious Mr Pfeffer, also hiding from the Nazis.
Director Thom Southerland can be as pleased as the Broadway management.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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