The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

Last night at Norwich Theatre Royal  saw the opening night of the Children's Touring Partnership The Boy In The Stripe Pyjamas, adapted from the bestselling novel by John Boyne.

It's the heartbreaking story of an unlikely friendship between two innocent 9 year old boys during World War II. Bruno is the son of the commandant of a concentration camp and Shmuel is a Polish Jewish lad on the other side of the fence.

Bruno is upset at being torn away from his friends in Berlin to move to  'Out-With' in the countryside because of his father's job. He has no clue about what his father's job entails, why they have to answer to 'The Fury' or why he can see hundreds of people 'in striped pyjamas' in the distance, behind a barbed wire fence.

Left alone and desperately wanting something to do he goes to explore the surrounding area and that's when he comes across Shmuel on the other side of the fence. Bruno believes, in his childish innocence, that Shmuel has a number of friends with him and is more fortunate than he. There are moments of touching humour but , as those who have read the book or seen the film know, their friendship will have a devastating end.

Images courtesy of Norwich Theatre Royal  

The cleverly designed set is minimal but leaves the audience in no doubt about the starkness and severity of the story.  Loud clanking typewriter keys spelling out the next chapter on the background, the sound of the Nazi soldiers dropping the barbed wire fencing into place and the slamming of gas chamber doors shutting leaves a chill running through you.

The final scene blew me away. I knew what was coming but the cast draw you in so much and make it such a personal experience that it still shocks you. There was barely a dry eye in the house!

This was a brilliant performance by all and the young actors playing Bruno (Cameron Duncan),  Shmuel (Samuel Peterson), and Eleanor Thorn who played Bruno's sister Gretl, were faultless. I can see them going far on the stage and screen.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is on at Norwich Theatre Royal from now until 9th May. Tickets can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01603 630000 or online at Norwich Theatre Royal website. Tour details can be found at http://www.theboyinthestripedpyjamas.com