Wednesday 17 September 2008

REVIEW: Yours Anne

Yours Anne
Bassetlaw Youth Theatre, Nottinghamshire County Council Youth Service

Anne Frank's diary is obviously poignant theatrical material, but this short youth production deftly and elegantly highlighted elements of the text without being repetitive or over-sentimental. Nine girls played nine Annes, reminding us that her words represent the many silenced voices of the Holocaust. Using extracts from her diary along with ensemble work, the production set the horror of the world outside against the frustration of Anne's confinement and her yearning to be free. Beautiful images were constructed with strips of plain white material and repeated gestures of closing and opening doors, whilst the young cast performed with great sincerity and used the stage space well, the inclusion of gentle contemporary music giving the production a timeless feel.

The Space @ Venue 45, 18 - 23 Aug, 3.15pm (3.50pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 243
tw rating: 3/5

published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival

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