Ian Buckley's WW2 drama, The Project, comes to the White Bear Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
IAN Buckley’s WW2 drama, The Project, will receive its world premiere at the White Bear Theatre, where it runs from March 5 to March 23, 2019.
Northern Holland, 1943. Westerbork. A bleak muddy camp in a bleak muddy landscape, it is bursting at the seams with angry worried people torn from their homes and surroundings. And in this camp a miracle – a cabaret performed by the very best artists in Europe.
It’s a cabaret the courteous smiling camp commandant wouldn’t miss for the world. Just as he wouldn’t miss signing off the weekly transport that sends 1000 Jews to a frightening destination in the East.
It’s a cabaret of comedy, dance and song but in particular of one dancer who catches the commandant’s eye – the talented Anna Hilmann. Will she accept his invitation and dance for him? Is it a poisoned chalice or reason to hope? Will it keep her and her loved-ones off the dreaded transport list? And if it does is it a compromise worth making?
With a background based in historical fact, The Project looks at the terrible choices forced on people in a surreal world that has lost its moral compass.
Produced by RedNeedle Productions, The Project is directed by Anthony Shrubsall, founder member of the Entire Theatre Company and an established director on the London Fringe. Previous work includes Zena Edwards’ Security – the first UK production selected for the Shizuoka Festival, Japan – and Richard Tyrone Jones’ Big Heart at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which was adapted into a series for BBC Radio 4.
Tickets: £15, £12 concessions including booking fee. To book, call the box office on 0333 012 4963 or visit www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk/.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Sunday at 4pm.