Live Theatre Review: Kindertransport

Prior to Hitler’s rise all seemed well for the upscale Schlesinger family. Daughter Eva was the apple in her parent’s eye. Like so many of her ethnicity Eva’s parents were at wit’s end to protect their daughter once the Nazi killing machine honed in on Germans of Jewish background. During this time period an organized movement came into being that saw Jewish children smuggled outside Germany to find new homes and identities in other European cities, most notably England. So the story goes.

Director Michael Fera takes us on a fully absorbing journey recounting the experiences of Eva. We see the horrors she faced getting put on a train by herself headed for freedom, to be followed in short order by a sea trip to London. On route unseemly encounters with bureaucratic officials make her plight all the more perilous.

Once in London Eva is taken in by the loving Millers. Use of flashbacks flesh out what experiences this girl endures as we bear witness to the multi-year learning she goes through from childhood to motherhood right before our eyes. And as an elder woman we see how Eva copes with her own daughter Faith, a head strong girl whose name bears little resemblance to her personlity.

Brilliant performances that pull you in make Kindertransport two hours of superior fully engaging live entertainment. Top ranking must go to Anastasica Capt who captivates as Eva. Equally good as the older Evelyn is Tana Dixon-Warren while Raphael Kepinsky brings that aura of evil to the role of Ratchatcher, a man of many talents.

With Kindertransport there are two diverse settings: Germany and London. Inside London we see the real family divide occur with three generations of family airing their dirty linen and hidden secrets, warts and all.