Two Annes (excerpt)

Synopsis:

In early 1945, just weeks before the end of World War II, Anne Frank and her sister, Margot, died in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

The only member of the family to survive was her father, Otto, who was given her diary in July, 1945.

Overwhelmed by its contents, and strongly encouraged by those around him, he felt compelled to have it published.

After his editing of some of the more sensitive and personal passages, the diary was first published in Dutch in 1947.

Sales at first were slow, but the diary was soon translated into French, German and English, the last in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Royalties began to flow, as well as the proceeds from the sale of theatrical and movie rights – to the point where Otto created the Anne Frank Fund, a non-profit organization set up to commemorate the Holocaust and fight anti-Semitism.

Meanwhile, upon hearing of plans to demolish the house in Amsterdam in which the family had hidden for two years (and in which Anne’s diary had been written), he created the Anne Frank Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of the building in the form of a museum.

After Otto’s death in 1980, the relationship between the two organisations became increasingly strained, culminating in a series of rancorous legal actions over multiple years.

The situation was further complicated by the creation in the United Kingdom of the Anne Frank Trust, set up by Otto’s stepdaughter, Eva Schloss, in the 1990s.  In recent years, the Trust has been infiltrated by non-Jewish activists who have used the name Anne Frank to lend credibility to activities designed to bring down the Jewish state.

All of the above has taken place posthumously in the name of Anne Frank who, no doubt, would be turning in her grave – if only she had one that was anything more than symbolic.

‘Two Annes’ embodies each of these warring organisations in the person of Anne herself, thereby enabling us to explore complex issues of legacy, remembrance, versions of history and ownership of story.

Character Breakdown:

The play is a 3-hander:  2 females, 1 male
ANNE FRANK  15
ANNELIES FRANK 15
OTTO  58 – 91

Running-time:  85 minutes

Production History:  Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.