Anna is a fantastic new play created by playwright Ella Hickson, sound engineers Ben and Max Ringham, and directed by Natalie Abrahami. Set in East Berlin during the Cold War the play focuses on one night in the life of an East German married couple, Anna and Hans who are celebrating his promotion at work with friends. The events that unfold in this evening are astonishing, chilling and quite frankly, extraordinary.
One of the most fantastic theatre experiences I’ve ever had.
This tense, Orwellian type thriller requires the audience to use individual audio headsets to give us intimate access to scenes as they unfold. A brilliantly layered aural experience which worked to focus the audience on scenes that sometimes were not playing out in front of us and let us into rooms and minds that would normally be off limits in a traditional stage play. The sound engineering is a novel and awesome technique which transfixed and submerged me into the play in a way I’ve never experienced before. This was all without taking away from the strong performances by every character on stage who brought genuine laughter and real surprise with their physical actions as much with their words.
Anna, played by Phoebe Fox is riveting, surprising and strong in her performance. Every movement, whisper, sound, word and look coming from her is natural, painful and emotional – pulling us into the story even deeper. Her husband, Hans played by Paul Bazely is a man that we all know and love and although sometimes in the shadows of what’s really going on still makes us care for him in his simplicity.
This is a fiercely intelligent play that uses new modern tools to give an insight into an old slice of German history
This is a fiercely intelligent play that uses new modern tools to give an insight into an old slice of German history which many of us may not be aware of. This play ensures that it will not be forgotten. I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want to spoil what was definitely one of the most fantastic theatre experiences I’ve ever had. I encourage you to go see and hear it for yourself!
