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The much-loved story of Anne Frank is brought to TWU's stage

The Nazis have control of Amsterdam. Jews have two choices: go into hiding, or go to the concentration camps. When Anne Frank’s life is reduced to a cramped attic shared with seven others, she seeks refuge in the one place where she’s still free to dream–her diary.

Trinity Western University’s SAMC Theatre presents The Diary of Anne Frank, the inspiring true story brought to life in a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. This riveting piece of realism runs from October 27 to November 7 on the TWU campus.

The play follows innocent people in desperate circumstances who must decide who they will become. Adults, children, friends, strangers—how do they divide food fairly? Whose possessions must they sell in order to survive? Is there such thing as privacy for anyone in their new “home”? While fear threatens to defeat them, it’s the young Anne who manages to unlock the redemptive power of hope, grace and even playfulness.

“In the worst of situations, sometimes the best thing you can do is laugh,” says Angela Konrad, the Jessie Award-winning director. “Some people might be surprised at how much humour there is in this play—it shows just how important humour is to our survival.”

With all of its twists and turns, this coming-of-age journey is inspired by Anne Frank’s diary, found after the end of World War II. Narrations from the diary run through the play.

“Anne and her family embody the resilience of the human spirit,” says Konrad. “Even as everything else is taken away, no one can steal or kill hope. The profound hope and faith in this story is, I think, one of the reasons why its popularity still soars—even after 70 years.”

Carolyn Rapanos returns as set designer after designing last spring’s colourful hit The Drowsy Chaperone. Rapanos’s imaginative, multi-level set is complemented by Kaitlin Williams’ costumes and Graham Ockley’s lighting design.

The Diary of Anne Frank plays at TWU’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC) from October 27 to November 7. Performances will go from Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m . A special talkback with the cast and director will follow the November 3 performance.

For tickets and information, visit www.twu.ca/theatre or call 604.513.2121, extension 3872. For sponsorship and advertising opportunities, email Diana.Squires@twu.ca.