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This evening I ventured back to Knox Academy. The S6 Drama class were performing a version of ‘In Holland Stands A House’ by Sue Saunders and directed by John Naples-Campbell. John is a good friend and colleague of mine who teaches Drama at Knox Academy.

This is one of the events leading up to National Holocaust Memorial Day that the school will be hosting.

‘The senior acting class at Knox Academy having been busy learning their lines and putting their finishing touches to their play ‘In Holland Stands A House’. Two students who went to Poland to visit a concentration camp will be holding an exhibition before and during the interval of the play about The Holocaust and genocide since.’

‘This is the story of Anne Frank who with her family went into hiding during the Nazi occupation in Holland. The play interweaves a dramatised account of events in Europe with domestic scenes from the secret annex. The script draws strongly on Anne’s diary. This is the story of Anne Frank who with her family went into hiding during the Nazi occupation in Holland. The play interweaves a dramatised account of events in Europe with domestic scenes from the secret annex. The script draws strongly on Anne’s diary’.  -John Naples-Campbell

This is the first production that John has directed at Knox Academy, and Wow! didn’t he set the standard in style! There was an audience of around fifty people tonight, many of whom were pupils with a genuine interest (not only family and friends). The combination of talented acting, voice, mime and dramatic effect was outstanding.  Having visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial four years ago, I found myself taken aback. As I watched and listened I became completely absorbed in the story. Though there were a few tears shed, there was an immense feeling of ‘togetherness’ both on and off the stage.

On a personal note, since starting my new job, this was the first time that I have been overcome by the feeling of- ‘I miss the kids’

I would like to congratulate the S6 and John on tonight’s fantastic performance. They are truly credits to themselves and Knox Academy. The standard has now been firmly set for the S6 pantomime and I (for one) am sure that they will not disappoint!