'The Diary of Anne Frank': The Unforgetable Story

Above: Sara Farb as Anne Frank

Above: (Left to Right) - Maev Beaty as Miep, Yanna McIntosh as Mrs. Van Daan, Sara Farb as Anne Frank, Christopher Morris as Mr. Dussel, Lucy Peacock as Mrs. Frank, Shannon Taylor as Margot Frank, Kevin Briere as Mr. Van Daan, Joseph Ziegler as Mr. Frank and Andre Morin as Peter Van Daan 

"I want to go on living, even after my death" - Anne Frank

A powerful play with an even more powerful message, The Diary of Anne Frank has been hailed as one of the most influential plays of all time and one of the most studied within schools. Having read the play back in seventh grade, I had a love for The Diary of Anne Frank and remembered reading aloud the scene where Anne hands out Christmas presents to the members of the family. A timeless story as told by the young girl forced into hiding with her family has never shone brighter on the stage than this production at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

Taken from Anne Frank's actual diary, The Diary of Anne Frank recounts the events and actions that took place for the Franks as they were forced from the streets into hiding during the Holocaust and reign of Hitler. Hitler has just instated that all those of Jewish faith are to be rounded up and taken by train to concentration camps where they will will be exterminated. Scared for their lives, the Frank family goes into hiding in the attic of a nearby work building with the help of family friend Miep who pledges to keep their hiding secret and help however she can. Anne must adjust to this new life, by following the rules set in place by her father, while still keeping her true self and memories alive with the help of a diary.

The entire cast was simply incredible, but leading the charge more than Anne Frank herself was Joseph Ziegler as Mr. Frank. Ziegler gave a brillian performance as Anne's father and greatest confidant while in hiding, and his final speech explaining the fates of his family was simply incredibly. Second to Mr Ziegler was Sarah Farb as a funny and headstrong Anne Frank, Lucy Peacock as Anne's distant mother and Meav Beaty as the now famous friend to the Frank's, Miep.

This production had one surprise after another. Before the play began, the cast gathered on stage and each member told a personal story of themselves at Anne's age, thirteen years old. Anne herself, actress Sara Farb, had the most heart wrenching connection as her own grandmother is a Holocaust survivor. After these stories the cast explained the set and time frame that the play takes place in before exiting the stage and beginning the show. Another surprise I found with this production was its excellent and powerful use of choral music. For a majority of the production a small choir could be seen behind the ethereal set and provided music which enhanced and greatly added to the production without intruding on its sensitive subject matter. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the production was the fact that acting never felt like acting. Director Jillian Keiley's direction of the company and production as a whole was able to transport the audience to the attic of the work building and see the play as the true story of the Franks while in hiding.

Ending note: Before the show began, my mother and I were approached by a Festival member and asked to participate in an event created around this production of The Diary of Anne Frank. Playgoers from all places and of all ages were asked to step into a special booth and record an entry from Anne's real diary. It didn't make sense, until we walked in the theater and heard various entries being read aloud over the theater speakers by previous playgoers. The idea that my voice would be heard before a future showing at the festival was incredibly inspiring and moving.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's The Diary of Anne Frank Trailer

For photos and videos of this production, visit:

http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/OnStage/productions.aspx?id=29426&prodid=57763

For more information about the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, visit:
http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/Default.aspx

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The Adventures of Pericles or Pericles, Prince of Tyre