Symbolically, the evening before the Victory Day, the day when Nazi Germany signed the capitulation in World War II, the dance performance The Diary of Anne Frank, directed by Renata Vidič, choreographed by Siniša Bukinac and the Koper Theatre ensemble from Slovenia, opened the third Novi Sad Theater Festival. A few years ago, in Slovenia, The Diary of Anne Frank was removed from the list of official mandatory literature in primary school. The book is left as an optional reading title and whether it will be read would depend on a subject teacher. That is why it is extremely valuable that the Koper Theatre still continues to convey this tragic testimony.
Ana (Tina Gunzek) as Ana the narrator narrates parts from the diary, while Ana the Diary (Tjaša Bucik), Ana's family and other Jews hidden in the attic (Siniša Bukinac, Vito Colangelo, Patricija Crnković, Noemi Bak and Luka Ostrež) dance the events. The most exciting moments of the play are those in which the action and the narration are in counterpoint. The narrowness of the hiding place and the feeling of claustrophobia, is very clearly evoked through music (Mirko Vuksanović) and video projections. The selection of the text from the Diary very successfully balances the information about the war, the crimes committed by the Nazis and Ana's inner world woven from teenage rebellion, reflections on love and happiness.
Learning about the wars and past demise may prevent future wars or make us speak out about those happening today bringing destruction of civilians and children.
Divna Stojanov, playwright
AUDIENCE IMPRESSIONS:
"I understood everything, it's just not clear to me why Hitler hated the Jews." (age 9)
"I really liked the dance! It's really good!" (age 11)
"I'm in shock! We learned a little about this at school, but I didn't know it was really like this." (age 11)
"I would like to see that hiding place. And those eight people. I barely tolerate to share a room with my brother." (age 9)
"The choreography is perfect. Even though the actress was speaking, everything was clear through movement." (age 15)
"It was very sad for me, but I'm glad that I now know about Anne Frank." (age 10)
"I don't know how the dancers managed to dance to such a poignant theme." (age 10)
P.S. Theatrical view is not intended as a theater critique, nor as a presentation of the play, but as a set of impressions of a playwright and the audience immediately after watching the play.
Divna Stojanov