Eleanor’s Story: An American Girl In Hitler’s Germany – Adelaide Fringe Review

Gluttony’ The Bally, Fri Feb 13 This is a surprise – some serious theatre about a difficult topic. It is a complex story of one American girl’s experience of Hitler’s Germany. The girl is Eleanor Ramrath Garner whose family moves to Germany from the USA in 1939 and gets trapped in Berlin for the duration of the war. It’s a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time because of decisions that have been made. The play is based on Eleanor’s best selling autobiography, which has won several awards in the US. ‘What makes it so compelling is that Ingrid Garner, her granddaughter, performs it. This one-woman show uses few props, minimal lighting and a few faded photos of the time to tell this terrible story. It is a unique take on this period as we hear the innocent voice of the child who is forced to face the most horrendous experiences over those war years from age 9 to 15, contrasting with the voices of her parents and brother – all played by Ingrid. The play clearly shows the ways that ordinary citizens, including children, were controlled and manipulated: the fear, hunger, bombing, loss of hope, survival tactics and exposure to the worst of human behaviour during a war. The moment of recognition of the desire to live is so powerfully delivered- it almost takes your breath away. Ingrid takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions – from a child excited about the adventure of moving countries, through her growth into womanhood, to her fear, and loss of hope. We come to know her intimate thoughts and experiences; some utterly shocking and we hear and feel her pain at the chaos around her. A truly moving piece of theatre, and a different perspective on Nazi Germany that again reminds us about the horrors and waste of war. The venue is disappointing, but ignore this and be rewarded. Taissa Ceric Eleanor’s Story: An American Girl In Hitler’s Germany continues at Gluttony’s The Bally until Sat Feb 28. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 261 255 or www.adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. Image courtesy of Richard Maritzer