Written by Debra Barnes, Head of Next Generations at AJR
These days we are spoilt for choice when it comes to theatre about the Holocaust (The Pianist, The Banality of Evil and Wiesenthal, to name a few), a testament to the enduring power of Holocaust testimony.
Yet even among such high-profile company, Memoriam, a new play in London running until the 21st of this month, stood out as particularly relevant to the group of AJR staff and 3G members who saw it earlier this week. This play about the grandchildren of a Holocaust survivor, followed by a post-show Q&A with Holocaust scholars including Dr Bea Lewkowicz, director of AJR Refugee Voices ticked all the boxes for our 3Gs: themes of memory, trauma and the importance of keeping the stories alive.
Performed at the Southwark Playhouse by a talented cast and set in the near-future, Rachel clashes with her brother after asking their grandmother to ‘sell’ her memories of the Holocaust to her virtual-reality employer for commercial use. Entertaining and thought-provoking, Memoriam is a family story that raises timely questions about how Holocaust testimony is preserved and passed on to future generations.
As home to the UK’s largest community of Holocaust refugees, survivors and descendants, AJR is proud to offer outings like this to our members across the country, connecting those with shared history, identity and interests through unique cultural and community events.
Click here for information and tickets.
