In the Autumn of 2009 I had the privilege of being asked to teach a young teenager German language skills and German pronunciation for a studio production of Diane Samuels harrowing play, Kindertransport. Kaiti Soultana who played Eva Schlesinger (the German Jewish escapee) had no knowledge of German and felt she had no confidence in learning foreign languages but seemed up for a challenge.
Over a three month rehearsal period we worked together on the not unsubstantial, German language aspects of the script. We worked on the emotional context of the German/English dialogue and the phrasing and emphasis on particular words to make dramatic sense. I also did her an audio tape of me reading all the parts to help her on the text and acting. She put a tremendous amount of work into the challenging role and it all paid off with her winning praise from the critics and especial praise from a senior German language tutor from Nottingham University. All this from a girl who thought she would struggle with the foreign language.
Here are some images I took of the show at the Lace Market Theatre. The play was a cast of six and directed by Maggie Andrew and the co-director and set designer was David Supper.
Cast list:
Eva Kaiti Soultana
Helga Monika Johnson
Evelyn Maeve Doggett
Faith Rebecca Tarry
Lil Penny Kimmins
The Man Phil Pearson
Costumes by The Lace Market Theatre
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