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THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
Bournemouth Little Theatre Club
Bournemouth Little Theatre
Winton
Bournemouth
October 2003

THERE are times when BLTC’s tiny stage works in their favour, and probably never more so than in this production, when it perfectly represents the cramped living conditions endured by the eight Jewish people who spent two years of World War 2 holed up in an Amsterdam attic.
The central character, Anne, is a feisty teenager who is hit hardest of all by her newly restricted life, and her childish exuberance and burgeoning maturity are beautifully portrayed by the highly talented 13 year old Natasha Barnes. In particular, Anne’s growing closeness towards Peter Van Daan, played superbly by 16 year old Andy Brennan, is especially moving.
But this is no two-hander, and there are excellent characterisations all round, with the ever-present mixture of hope and despair strongly brought out by director Patricia Richardson. David Barnes, Tanya Alexander and Charlotte Parker are extremely impressive as Mr & Mrs Frank and their elder daughter, Margot, Stephanie Fereday and John Mould give fine portrayals as the argumentative Van Daans and Don Gent is creepily aloof as Mr Dussel. The cast is completed by Marianne Waite (Miep Gies) and Noel Davenport (Mr Kraler).
Less harrowing than you might expect, but deeply moving nonetheless, this play is a must see.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo


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