Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre
The Diary of Anne Frank
Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre chose the story of The Diary of Anne Frank for the July season. A moving play about a young Jewish girl and her family who were hiding out from the Nazi invaders in Amsterdam.
LATC did a remarkable set of the secret upstairs apartment of a factory, whose door was hidden behind a bookshelf. There were two families in hiding there, then later another man joined them temporarily but stayed. One can imagine the strain of living with eight people in such dire straits. The cast did a wonderful job, really capturing the feeling of the time and the cramped conditions.
The play opened after the war with Otto Frank, the only survivor, returning to the apartment where he found Anne’s diary. Then the play moved back in time to when it all happened.
Anne Frank was given a superb performance by Emily Barnes-Read. A delightful performance with Emily catching all the correct nuances of a thirteen-year-old who was telling the story through her diary. She covered difficulties of teenage years, fighting with her sister and mother, then falling in love with the boy from another family. A wonderful portrayal.
Otto Frank, Anne’s father, was played by David Spencer-Gardner. Who also gave a great performance in the role of occasional peace maker, father, and husband. A difficult role, but well handled by David. Edith Frank, Anne’s mother, was played by Elizabeth van Spronsen. A moving role well handled by Elizabeth. As a mother and wife, Elizabeth projected well, giving a moving performance.
Margot Frank, Anne’s sister, played by Em Beggs, gave a good performance as the quiet one of the Frank family.
Peter Van Daan, the boy who Anne used to tease, then fell in love wit,h was played by Jackson Langelaan. Jackson also captured the fine nuances of a 16-year-old boy being teased by a 13-year-old girl. A good portrayal by Jackson. His mother, Mrs Van Daan, was played by Elizabeth Matjacic, who also met the high standard of the play.
Her husband, Mr Van Daan, played by Mark Crowe, added to the standard of the production. He was not quite the man to be in this position, as he was not quite what he seemed. Mark handled the role with finesse and was quite believable.
Mr Dusselm, played by Jonathan Edwards, was the man who hid the Jews in his factory. A small but vital role and was handled excellently. Miep Gieps, played by Alexandra Carter, who also helped the Jewish families, gave a good performance in her role.
The stranger who came in after the others and was only going to stay for a short while but stayed on was Mr Kraler, played by Jason Triggs, who captured the character of such an inverted man who did not get on with the other families.
A good evening of theatre by Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre and definitely a company not to be missed.
