Students wow audiences with Dreams of Anne Frank

Exeter College BTEC Performing Arts students recently performed Dreams of Anne Frank by Bernard Cops at the Barnfield Theatre.

Winner of the Time Out award for best children's production during its London premiere, this imaginative play with music demystifies and humanizes Anne Frank's story of tremendous bravery.

75 years ago in 1942, Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl, was forced into hiding with seven others in a secret annex in Amsterdam. Dreams of Anne Frank, a beautifully re-imagined play by Bernard Cops, vividly brings her story to life in a poignant, beautiful and highly charged drama. Through movement, live music and song the play re-imagines and explores Anne Frank's hidden world; a world in which she lived, fell in love, and dreamt of freedom.

Head of section for Drama and Performing Arts, Nige Paul said: “Dreams of Anne Frank has been a fantastic teaching and learning vehicle for our students this year. It has allowed us to consolidate and further explore acting, movement and voice. At the core of our interpretation is the power and purpose of ensemble.

Our second years are about to move on to places at university, drama school, other courses at college, gap years or full-time employment. We wish all of our students every success when they graduate from us, no matter what direction they take.”

Student Rebecca Brabon-Bartlett who played Margo Frank said: “Studying Performing Arts at Exeter College has allowed me to gain confidence not only as a performer but also as a person. It’s also taught me how important it is to work as a team and to never be afraid to share my own creative ideas. Next year I hope to start auditioning for drama schools in order to continue my training in musical theatre.”

Chesney Fawkes-Porter, a student from Torquay, who played Peter Van Daan said: “I have really developed my ensemble skills and my ability to take and incorporate direction from others. In the future, I hope to live in London and appear in West End musicals. I have been lucky enough to receive an unconditional offer from the London College of Music to study BA (HONS) Musical Theatre in September.”

Members of the audience took to social media to praise the performance:

We really enjoyed your performance this afternoon, thank you so much! It was such a touching and tightly knit performance. All the cast put such heart and soul into the show , it moved myself and several of my family to tears. I would definitely watch another show by the BTEC performing arts students in the future. I also found the exhibition interesting. Good luck for the future to you all!”

I have just returned from seeing the Saturday matinee performance of Dreams. I have to say, I was expecting a competent and well practiced performance, but nothing could have prepared me for the excellent and intensely emotional spectacle I watched. Every cast member was fully committed to providing the audience with a first rate polished performance. The leads were excellent, especially Anne, and Margot. I didn't expect to be so touched, to the point of tears, by a BTEC level performance. Acting, singing, dancing, staging were all brilliant and contributed to a thoroughly satisfying and informative show. Thank you once again for a fine performance.”

Dreams of Anne Frank Cast and Crew

Cast

Otto Frank – Owen Thomas

Edith Frank – Holly Bowler

Margot Frank – Rebecca Brabon Barlett

Anne Frank – Grace Rowe

Mr Van Daan – Wilf Juett

Mrs Van Daan – Freya Hester

Peter Van Daan – Chesney Fawkes-Porter

Dussell – Maxim Wortley

Kitty – Sofia Freeman

Hannah Goslar – Lucy Jarvis

Danka Zajade – Molly Mae Courtney

Nanette Blitz – Hannah Mountain

Lenie Duyzend – Erinn Painter

Annie Eering – Maya Byrne

Bep Van Groot Battave – Sarah Parker

Letty De Levie – Phillipa Barrowcliffe

Jacqueline Van Maarsen – Jessica Tizard

Miep Gies – Eleanor Welch

Jan Gies – Seumas Mackinnon

Bep Voskuijl – Kim Mather

Johannes Kleiman – Cree Taylor

Victor Kugler – Jezz Janeiro

Grietje Scott – Hannah Berryman

Announcer – Eliot Alford

Producer – James Williams

Singer – Nadia Coles

Music

Violin – Florence Rutherfoord-Jones and Joel Munday

Viola – David Golby

Cello – Ella Golby

Music Arranged by David Golby

Production Team

Stage Management: Sarah Ford, Sophie Smith, Annie Williams, Heather Clark and Cliona Macleod

Set Construction: Jessica Hill, Jacob Madeley, Catkin Rawlings,Cameron Woolsey, Nicola Court, and Cameron Patterson

Crew: Bethan Bowden, Cameron Derry, Barney Furness, Carli Shaw, Matilda Stacey, Kian Gale, Emma Hodnett and Rhys Vowden

Wardrobe: Martha Adnams, Maisie Clarke, Georgia Mair, Chloe Murphy, Maya Goodall and Megan Hayes

Lighting Operation: Prue Howard and April Walters

Sound Operation: James Pike

Shadow Show Design and Construction: Freya Hester, James Pike, Ruby Bensburg, Roseanna Isaac and Toni Loveland

Creative and Production Team

Direction: Nigel Paul

Choreography: Emma Wyke

Singing and Vocal Coaches: Katy Baker and Colin Davey

Musical Director: David Golby

Production and Stage Management: Laura Fitzpatrick, Jane May and Victoria Morris

Set Design: Mike Reddaway

Lighting Design: Pete Goodwin

Sound Design: James Pike

Exhibition: Katie Scott-Hamilton

Thanks to the following for all their support, advice and kindness:

Theatre Alibi, Northcott Theatre, Barnfield Theatre, James King, Will Cosey, Steve Price and Ian Rossiter.