GORE BAY—‘Kindertransport’ may be the the most ambitious production the Gore Bay Theatre troupe has ever brought to the stage. The complexities of following the stories of Jewish children rescued from the horrors of Nazi Germany prior to the outbreak of World War II are immense, so it is a good thing that directors Walter Maskel and Andrea Emmerton have not only their own decades of experience to draw upon but also a stable of veteran actors from which to craft the tale.
‘Kindertransport’ is a play by Diane Samuels that examines the life, during World War II and afterwards, of a Kindertransport child. Although the story relayed in the play is fictitious, it is based upon many real kindertransport stories. Kindertransport was the name given to the operation which transported Jewish children and others whose ethnic origins made them targets for persecution out of Nazi Germany at the start of World War II. As the Nazis would not allow a parent to accompany their child, and frightened and on their own, these children—some as young as five-years-old—travelled by boat and train to safety in England. Most of their parents were to perish in the death camps.
“It is probably the most challenging play we have done in our lifetime,” admits Mr. Maskel. “Not only do the actors have to explore four different mother/daughter relationships, examined at different times and places, they also have to take on accents.” In the case of the main protagonist, the actress must master her lines in German, broken English, a German accented English and, in later life, speak the Queen’s English.
“It is a history lesson come to life,” said Mr. Maskel, noting that in the context of today’s refugee crisis the play’s character development takes on a current theme as well.
Taking on the roles in ‘Kindertransport’ are veteran actresses Shannon McMullan, Tara Bernatchez, Lori Evans and, although still quite young, Kayla Greenman (this is Kayla’s eighth production with the Gore Bay Theatre). Also taking to the stage in this production are relative newcomers Jack Clark and Kyleen Robertson.
The play will comprise the Gore Bay Theatre company’s QUONTA entry, held in Sudbury this year, and will be reprised during the summer theatre run of the company. The play will be on stage March 11 and March 12 at 7:30 pm and March 13 at 2 pm at the Gore Bay Community Hall. All tickets will be sold at the door and patrons of the Gore Bay Theatre will be able to redeem their free ticket vouchers with this production.
