Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Frank family going into hiding, Exeter College BTEC Performing Arts students will be performing Dreams of Anne Frank by Bernard Cops, at the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter in May.

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.

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.

Exeter College BTEC Performing Arts students look to celebrate Anne Frank’s vitality, while at the same time stimulating us to not only question the past, but to confront the very same issues of discrimination and prejudice that surround us today. Anne’s diary, and this play about her life, commends the spirit of creativity that thrives despite being confined and hidden from society. Dreams of Anne Frank is the cornerstone of a season of work at the Barnfield Theatre, by Exeter College’s Drama and Performing Arts Department, in May 2017.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank

We spoke to our performing arts students to hear what they’ve learnt from this project:

“In the last 75 years prejudice and discrimination have not been eradicated, it’s been normalised. One of the most painful forms of prejudice I’ve encountered is against young people. When walking along a street reading the BBC politics page on my phone I was told by an old lady to stop facebooking and learn something. Large marches and political events are needed. It’s just a case of having the courage of speaking your mind and letting people know your opinion. If everyone speaks up instead of sitting back and turning a blind eye we can positively challenge acts of discrimination and prejudice.” Chesney Fawkes-Porter

“From exploring the play and it’s themes I’ve learnt that people can be controlled and conform to fit in. Therefore people’s beliefs and values may not be their own as so much is fed to us by the media.” Seumas Mackinnon

“I feel that in today’s society too many people turn a blind eye when they see something that isn’t right.” Molly Mae Courtney

Exeter College BTEC Performing Arts students present Dreams of Anne Frank
By Bernard Kops and Music by David Burman
Performances taking place at the Barnfield Theatre on:
• Wednesday 3rd May 10am
• Thursday 4th May 7.30pm
• Friday 5th May 7.30pm
• Saturday 6th May 2.30pm & 7.30pm
• Sunday 7th May 2.30pm
For tickets please call the Box Office: 01392 271808 or visit www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk
Adults £9 / Concessions £7 / Family of four £25