Touring Anne Frank opening
on Dutch Independence Day

By Dean Taylor

Te Awamutu Little Theatre’s successful 2001 play ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ is being reprised for a special New Zealand tour.

Director Kim Barclay is once again at the helm, but this time for newly formed Waikato based not-for-profit Zeeland Productions, in partnership with Dutch drama club De Plankeniers.

The success of the 2001 play resulted in an approach from De Plankeniers to take it to a wider audience.

De Plankeniers has a 15 year history of touring plays in Dutch. ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ is the first chance to extend their repertoire into English language plays.

Rehearsals for the new production start next week in Te Awamutu and Miss Barclay is aiming for a gala New Zealand opening in Te Awamutu Little Theatre on May 4 to mark Dutch Memorial Day.

The tour will take in about 10 North Island towns and cities over a five month period and concludes after VJ Day, which is in August, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust.

For Miss Barclay directing the play is both a pleasure and a challenge. The new production has been created to be more accurate to the famous writings. The set will more closely resemble the actual attic where the Frank family remained in hiding for over two years and props, many of which have been sourced from Europe, will be as authentic as possible.

‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ has a cast of 10, the travelling set and 450 props. The show also aims to travel with a small exhibition about the Holocaust and educational material for schools.

Miss Barclay believes the story will have huge appeal for young people and that it will be a valuable educational tool.

Zeeland Productions are offering concessions for schools, veterans and refugee societies, as well as workshops for students. Funding has been sourced from the Royal Netherlands Embassy, the New Zealand Netherlands Foundation, Pub Charities, The Radio Network and the Dutch Friendship Support Network.