KINDERTRANSPORT

Warehouse Theatre, Weymouth

SENDING your children away from the dangers of war is a common factor in modern society but what is the long term impact upon the individuals who are separated from their loved ones?

Weymouth Drama Club bring all the emotion and grief to the fore in this drama-documentary by Diane Samuels which examines the life of one Jewish girl who was packed off to England from Germany along with thousands of other children to save them from the holocaust that was to come.

The action moves seamlessly between 1938 when Eve is a nine year old child to the 1980s when she is a middle-aged mother where her teenage daughter discovers the real identity of her mother which she has hidden away in the attic for most of her life.

This thought provoking story is beautifully told by the fine cast as we see the remarkable 12 year old Sofia White in a leading role as Eva, a German child sobbing at being parted from her mother, sensitively portrayed by Antoinette Richards.

As she moves away from her Jewish roots, Eva slowly changes into Evelyn, an English teenager whose mother has become a boring embarrassment.

Julia Booth brings amazing reality to the leading role of Lil as she moves 40 years in four strides onstage from young adoptive mother to wise granny, while Deborah Walton is Evelyn, still battling with her past as it confronts her in the attic.

Kelly Percival is suitably shocking as her daughter Faith, typically treading all over her mother’s feelings while Dan Almond has numerous walk on roles as the sole male of the cast.

This appropriate production for a year of remembering World War 11, is directed by Jacqui Trent and is beautifully told and continues for the rest of the week.

MARION COX