DR KORCZAK'S EXAMPLE.
London/Glasgow.
DR KORCZAK'S EXAMPLE
by David Greig.
TAG theatre company at bac studio 1 To 15 June then The Changing House, Tron Theatre Glasgow 19-20 June 2003.
1.30pm 19-20 June.
7.30pm 20 June.
Runs 1hr 20min No interval.
TICKETS: 0141 552 4267.
www.tron.co.uk (Glasgow.)
Review: Timothy Ramsden 15 June at bac.
Moving, clear drama that looks at the nature of citizenship and the role of young people.
This is the second part of Glasgow-based TAG's 'Making the Nation 1999-2002' programme of performances, participatory work and exchanges built around Scottish devolution, to reach London thanks to LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre) and its 'Family Friendly' season.
Janusz Korczak ran an innovative orphanage. Every child had a voice; disputes were resolved by a children's court. Greig shows two conflicts. There's the wildness within, as Korczak and his well-behaved pupil Stephanie cope with street-wild Adzio.
And the savagery without, for this is the Warsaw Ghetto, 1942. Greig's style, like James Brining's finely-acted production, is Brechtian cool, documentary, with moments of direct address to the audience, reminding of the pretence in bringing a true story to the stage.
Moments are picked out by use of figurines Korczak imagines speaking to a German sentry, a model atop a bookcase. Callum Cuthbertson's quiet reason speaks loud against this silent representative of political barbarity. Models also stand for minor characters, actors kneeling to speak behind them.
Evelyn Barbour's set combines backless bookcases, their shelves filled by little other than orphan figurines and a heap of boots, with wire mesh: civilisation imprisoned.
In place of Brechtian confrontation, there's warmth, yet a gradation of betrayal as the church fearfully turns its back, and a Nazi over-rides the orphanage's protection from deportation.
There's debate too: as Korczak rejects the offered document freeing him (only) from Treblinka and leads his model children, flag-waving, onto the death-train, wild Adzio and Stephanie survive by hiding.
Yet we learn they later die fighting, while Korcczak's example was taken up post-war, his principles becoming the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
So, who makes history?
If a few moments seem slightly off-register with a largely adult Sunday audience, that's evidence of the piece's suitability for younger, teenage audiences. When I saw it first, in an East Dunbartonshire high school, it hit the note perfectly.
It's a triumphant statement of the right of each emerging generation to theatre that, through experience in working with - and having respect for - them, addresses young people both like adults and as young people.
Dr Korczak: Callum Cuthbertson.
Stepan/Priest/Oficer: Stephen Docherty.
Adzio: Kevin Lennon.
Stephanie: Helen MacAlpine.
Cerniakow/PolicemanP Jill Riddiford.
Director: James Brining.
Designer: Evelyn Barbour.
Lighting: Chris Nelms.
Composer/Dolls: David Young.
Movement: Marisa Zanotti.
Costume: Liz Boulton.
2003-06-17 11:48:33