Shannon KeoughOn Aug. 1, 1944, Anne Frank wrote her last diary entry and later became an international icon.
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Theatre Inbetween presented a stunning theatrical production of “Teenager: Anne Frank” atop the Parkway House apartment’s rooftop in Center City Philadelphia as part of the 2009 Philadelphia Live Arts and Fringe Festival.
The story of Anne Frank has been adapted into countless theater productions and film adaptations. What distinguishes this one from others is the focus on the teenage emotions of Frank.
“When I read the diary it surprised me how fresh and contemporary it was,” director Frank Bru?ckner of Philadelphia, said. “We wanted to shed light on the teenage aspect of Anne.”
Bru?ckner and Anna Watson both moved to Philadelphia from Germany and Austria, meeting by chance in a café. Bru?ckner received his training in the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Watson received a master’s degree in theater arts in 2005 while performing across Europe.
“I had this project in mind for five years,” Watson said. “For me, Anne Frank is someone I can relate to as a girl.”
The ‘City of Brotherly Love’ provides the backdrop to an entrancing portrayal by Watson. She grabs you from the beginning of the performance and doesn’t let you go until the end of an emotional journey.
The show depicts Frank’s emotions about love, the relationship between her mother and father and the paranoia of being caught all from a teenager’s perspective and it’s done outstandingly well.
What is even more unexpected is that this is Watson’s debut in the United States. She displays complete confidence in her role.
Watson performs solo in an eight by eight cube representing the confines she was subjected to, while the skyline represents the hope and the dreams of Frank. When she talks of the German planes flying overhead while planes fly in and out of the Philadelphia airport, a chill goes down your spine.
“The location is a part of the show,” producer Richard Watson said. “With this set we can also perform the show anywhere.”
There is nothing taken away from the Holocaust despite the focus on Anne’s emotions. On the contrary, being able to relate to the character puts the tragedy in perspective.
To Anna Watson, that was the point.
“So many people have to hide; [the play] is universal and relevant. Maybe if people can relate to the human side, it will open their minds to how tolerant we really are. This woman, me, could be anyone,” Watson said.
Raw, real and gripping, there is no doubt that Watson can turn our deep emotions for anyone that is lucky enough to see her in action.
“Teenager: Anne Frank” was part of the 13th annual Philadelphia Live Arts and Fringe Festival, which consists of over 185 self-produced shows by artists from throughout the region. It took place from Sept. 3-19.
Additional performances of the play will run from Sept. 18-20 at 8 p.m.
For more information on the Theatre Inbetween and future performances visit theatreinbetween.com.
