Overview

The author's guide to Kindertransport, an invaluable and uniquely authoritative resource for anyone studying, teaching or performing the play. Since it was first staged by the Soho Theatre Company in London in 1993, Diane Samuels’ Kindertransport has enjoyed huge success around the world, has been revived numerous times, and is widely studied in schools and colleges. The play tells the story of how nine-year-old Eva, a German Jewish girl, is sent by her parents on the Kindertransport to start a new life with a foster family in Britain just before the outbreak of World War Two. Over forty years later, she has changed her name to Evelyn and denied her roots. When her own daughter discovers some old letters and photos in the attic, she is forced to confront the truth about who she really is and to reveal a dark secret that she has done everything to keep hidden. In this author’s guide to the play, Diane Samuels investigates the historical background, drawing on the personal testimony of those whose lives were transformed by the Kindertransport. She explores the creative process that shaped the play through successive drafts. And she presents detailed accounts from the actors, directors, a composer and designer who have contributed to the play’s most notable productions. 'such a wonderful companion to the play... incredibly helpful... lends itself for so many different types of student' — Teaching Drama 'illuminating... It's a refreshing change for a study guide to come from the pen of the person who created the text being studied... an informative, enlightening contribution to textual study and performance.' — The Stage

Full Product Details

9781848422841

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Reviews

'Such a wonderful companion to the play... incredibly helpful... lends itself for so many different types of student' * Teaching Drama * 'Illuminating... It's a refreshing change for a study guide to come from the pen of the person who created the text being studied... an informative, enlightening contribution to textual study and performance' * The Stage *

'such a wonderful companion to the play... incredibly helpful... lends itself for so many different types of student' * Teaching Drama * 'illuminating... It's a refreshing change for a study guide to come from the pen of the person who created the text being studied... an informative, enlightening contribution to textual study and performance.' * The Stage *

Author Information

Diane Samuels is a playwright whose work has been widely produced. Her play Kindertransport won the Verity Bargate and Meyer-Whitworth Awards, and was first produced by the Soho Theatre Company in 1993. Subsequently it has been translated into many languages, performed in the West End, Off-Broadway and all over the world, and revived numerous times. Other plays include: The True-Life Fiction of Mata Hari (Watford Palace Theatre, 2002); Cinderella's Daughter (Trestle Theatre tour, 2005); 3 Sisters on Hope Street with Tracy-Ann Oberman (co-produced by Liverpool Everyman/Playhouse and Hampstead Theatres, 2008) and Poppy + George (Watford Palace Theatre, 2016). Her plays for younger audiences include One Hundred Million Footsteps for Quicksilver Theatre Company and Chalk Circle, Frankie's Monster and How to Beat a Giant at the Unicorn Theatre. Her musical, The A-Z of Mrs P, with music and lyrics by Gwyneth Herbert, had its world premiere at Southwark Playhouse in 2014. For BBC radio, plays include Swine, Doctor Y, Watch Out for Mister Stork, Hen Party, Tiger Wings and Psyche. She also works as a teacher/facilitator of creative writing to all ages.

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