Theatre
Review
The Australian premiere of The Man In The Attic
Written by award-winning playwright Timothy Daly this incredible story of compassion and greed will make it's Australian premiere this July.
The Man In The Attic tells the incredible true story of a Jewish man who is hidden by a German couple during the Holocaust but, when the war is over, is led to believe the war has been won by the Nazis. Award-winning playwright Timothy Daly penned the piece as a “homage to every Jew, every man woman and child who was hidden, persecuted and trapped during that extraordinary and tragic period”.
The narrative of the kindness of those who hid and smuggled Jews during the period of persecution is one we’re familiar with, made famous by stories such as Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl. However, this story is a further fascinating introspective on human behaviour, how compassion can become overwhelmed by greed.
Where did the inspiration for the play come from?
The story actually has its basis in reality with a newspaper clipping that made reference to a German couple who were taken to court for the deception of a Jewish man. Although Daly couldn’t find records of the case itself he did extensive research into the history of the time. His research didn’t just include the history of the war itself but also what Germany was like during the closing months and shortly after. The result is a play that takes audiences back and makes them feel like they are a part of the scene, like they are watching history unfold from the perspective of this unnamed Jewish man.
The Man In The Attic is making its Australian premiere in Sydney next month at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst. Tickets for this brilliant work are available at Ticketmaster.com.au
