Reviews of 'Theatre from the Theresienstadt Ghetto' performance
"The Smoke of Home after the intermission is an incredibly emotional piece of theatre. ... The play’s implication that the Terezin prisoners had no home to go back to would have been devastating for the prisoners in Theresienstadt. Jason Ryall’s anguish as the soldier Waldau is extremely distressing. His cabin fever explodes into a manic frenzy that’s unbearable to watch unfold."
"When you read about the subject that is being discussed, it’s easy to think you’re going to need to bring hundreds tissues and leave sobbing, but more than anything you’ll walk out impressed by the resilience and talent of the prisoners in the Theresiendstadt Ghetto."
Joanna Trainor
"Theatre from the Theresienstadt Ghetto", BargainTheatreland.com, February 7, 2015
http://bargaintheatreland.com/theatre-theresienstadt-ghetto-bloomsbury-theatre-london/
"UCL and the University of York collaborated to present the two different forms of theatre created — both the unexpected comedy, and the unsurprising tragedy. They thereby introduced their audience to a sampling of some of the touching creative genius that emerged in the face of the Holocaust."
"Rather than simply seeing victims of the Holocaust as nothing more than tragedies, the audience was allowed a glimpse into the varied set of experiences that allowed for them to become survivors through their art."
Keno Katsuda
"Theatre in the Theresienstadt Ghetto", Pimediaonline.co.uk, February 8, 2015
http://pimediaonline.co.uk/reviews/theatre-in-the-theresienstadt-ghetto/
"The satirical spell is broken however and reality momentarily bleeds through with a hauntingly straight-faced fashion show parody. Penned by a young girl in a concentration camp, this piece proclaims that shaved heads, hole-ridden rags, and life-threatening weight loss are the current regime’s concept of ‘beautiful’."
"‘Theatre from the Theresienstadt Ghetto’ is a privilege to behold as testament to human fortitude and ingenuity: where there is friendship and laughter, there is always hope. Despite donning a brave face, it also reminds us that even once peace is officially declared, some wounds will never heal. No captive, though released, can ever truly return home."
Vanya Jones
"Recapturing Captivity", Savageonline.co.uk, February 8, 2015
http://www.savageonline.co.uk/our-london/recapturing-captivity/
"[From the Cabaret] is performed by non-drama students from UCL who work together nicely as an ensemble. Tim Frith in particular seemed to enjoy the exuberant comedy while Charlotte Nohavicka’s voice lifted the musical numbers."
"[The Smoke of Home] was brilliantly done and the five young actors – Sam Hill, Matt Roberts, Josh Welch, Megan Fisher and Jason Ryall were compelling and affecting."
"This is an interesting evening of student performance and one that will certainly reinforce your belief in the value of the arts. Technology may be a wonderful thing but there is always a human mind behind it and at the darkest moments, when it’s being used against them, people turn to literature and theatre to make sense of it, to think of home and to express hope."
Maryam Philpott
"Theatre in the Theresienstadt Ghetto", Thepublicreviews.com, February 8, 2015
http://www.thepublicreviews.com/theatre-in-the-theresienstadt-ghetto-bloomsbury-theatre-london/