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Kindertransport: the plot
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Diane Samuels's play (first staged in 1993) moves between 1938 to 1940s and the 1980s, often with both time periods on stage at once.
The past
Eva Schlesinger, a nine-year-old Jewish girl in Hamburg, is sent to England by her mother, Helga, on the Kindertransport to escape Nazi persecution.
She is fostered by Lil Miller in Manchester. Over time Eva adapts, changes her name to Evelyn, becomes a Christian and tries to forget her German past.
She is fostered by Lil Miller in Manchester. Over time Eva adapts, changes her name to Evelyn, becomes a Christian and tries to forget her German past.
The reunion
After the war, Helga survives the concentration camps and comes to England to find Eva.
Eva, now grown up, rejects her mother and refuses to go to America with her. She feels abandoned and wants to stay English.
Eva, now grown up, rejects her mother and refuses to go to America with her. She feels abandoned and wants to stay English.
The present
In the 1980s, Evelyn's daughter Faith finds letters and objects in the attic, including a children's book about the Ratcatcher.
She discovers her mother's hidden past. Evelyn is forced to face memories she has buried for decades.
She discovers her mother's hidden past. Evelyn is forced to face memories she has buried for decades.
Why does Samuels put the past and present on stage together?
- Eva's story (past) and Evelyn's story (present) happen side by side.
- The audience sees how the past still shapes the present.
- It shows that buried trauma does not disappear.
Answer: To show how Evelyn's past still lives inside her and shapes her family.
Eva sent from Hamburg on the Kindertransport, fostered by Lil, becomes Evelyn, rejects Helga after the war; in the 1980s Faith finds the hidden past in the attic.
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