Tiverton Dramatic Society Keep the Memory of Anne Frank Alive

TIVERTON Dramatic Society gave a sombre and thought provoking performance when they performed the Diary of Anne Frank at the New Hall this

week.

While it may not be the fun, fast paced and light-hearted

production which is normally seen on this stage – the production was an

education, and a tear jerking insight into the plight of the Frank and Can Daan families during the Holocaust.

The stage was busy and cramped. The characters were

always seen on stage so you got the feel of how crowded it was for the seven

living in the attic.

Anne, played by Emily Garland showed that Anne was outspoken,

energetic, and extroverted which is how she was described by those

who knew her. As time progressed, so did the personality and Emily showed how Anne

matured with age and the effects of being locked in a small confinement. She

was onstage throughout, and had plenty of words to remember and she coped superbly

with the demands of the role.

By comparison Louise Kingdon who took on her sister Margot,

showed a personality which was almost the opposite to Anne, and

showed a different type of relationship with those they lived with.

Their father Otto Frank was a man who wanted what was best for everyone in the

camp. Through his performance, you felt genuine sympathy, as he was clearly a

broken man contemplating the loss of everyone he knew come the end.

His wife Mrs Frank, played by Clare Moughton showed a

retiring character to begin with, but as time passed the stress built,

eventually bursting out in at anger after Mr Van Daan, played by Steve

Aldridge was caught stealing bread.

He and Andy Lockyer as Mr Dussel, both had similar

personalities, with both showing anger and frustration at the circumstances

surrounding them. Andy – a veteran of the stage in Tiverton, once again brought a wealth of experience to the role, and Steve conveyed his part, as a man who

started a strong character, but turned into a weak a helpless man – the true life Van Daan is

said to have given up hope before his murder in the gas chamber, and this was clearly

evident on the stage.

Van Daan’s wife played by Victoria Davies was similar in the

way that there was a gradual breakdown caused by the feeling of hopelessness.

Their son Peter Van Daan played by Will Simmons, like Anne showed the maturity

of the character as time passed in the drama.

The cast each did well with their complex characters and to

portray it in such a sensitive and thought provoking way. As I left the New Hall

I was asked if I had enjoyed it, but of course, it's difficult to enjoy seeing characters struggle to live together, and celebrating when they

thought they were reaching the end of the war and their survival, all the while

knowing what their fate would be.

The Tiverton Dramatic Society have kept the story and life of the Diary of Anne Frank alive, 65 years after the liberation

of Auschwitz, as Anne she would have wanted during the most horrific chapter of humankind. It was a truely touching production.