Eleanor’s Story: American Girl In Hitler’s Germany ~ Adelaide Fringe 2019 Review

[THEATRE/SOCIAL CHANGE ~ USA] Live From Tandanya – Tandanya Theatre, Sat 23 Feb. Ingrid Garner has brought her one woman rendition of her grandmother’s compelling autobiography to the stage many times to audiences around the world. She has won many well-deserved awards and accolades for the show as well. Despite the repeated re-telling however the show has not grown stale and audiences remain totally engaged with Eleanor’s story and Ingrid’s subtle and nuanced performance. The play tells the story of a nine-year-old American girl who finds herself living back in her parents’ homeland at the worst of times. War is declared whilst they are en route to Germany and they are trapped for the duration of the war. Discrimination, privations, horror, fear, and finally despair are there, but there are also instances of human kindness, courage and even humour – especially at the start when we see the beginnings of Nazi authoritarianism through the guileless eyes of a child. Ingrid plays five characters seamlessly in the play and her absolutely controlled mannerisms and shifts of voice mean that the audience is never confused about who is speaking, and what Eleanor the narrator thinks of these other characters. A backdrop screen which depicts the original family home in the US, and other scenes of Berlin throughout the war, add to the pathos of this performance and bring visual interest. Especially affecting is a short film showing women lining up with buckets to get water after the fall of Berlin. This is a coming of age tale, but the huge sweep of history embedded in the re-telling makes this so much more. This play reminds us of the horrors of war to be sure, but also what it feels to be an outsider and a pawn in history – whether a refugee, someone on the losing side, or a survivor. For this reason this is still a play worthy of your time and money. A sequel exploring the complexities Eleanor experiences re-adjusting to life back in the USA post-war is also now being performed at this year’s Fringe. If this first story is anything to go by the second performance would also be well worth checking out. 4 stars Catherine Tune Eleanor’s Story: American Girl In Hitler’s Germany continues at Live From Tandanya – Tandanya Theatre from 12pm until Sat 2 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. Eleanor’s Story: Home Is The Stranger continues at Live From Tandanya – Tandanya Theatre, at various times, until Sun 3 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe