Nelson Gardner, Anton Berezin, Tania de Jong, Michaela Burger, Bridget Costello. Photo: James Terry
The atrocities that the Nazi regime inflicted upon Jewish people during its formidable reign have been depicted many times in many art mediums, yet each new story that is told still has the same potency, still shocks and saddens. At the same time, because the story is being told by a survivor, it restores faith in the human spirit.
So it is with Driftwood, a new musical based on a stage play by Jane Bodie which in turn is based on the memoir by Eva de Jong-Duldig. Driftwood tells the story of Slawa Horowitz-Duldig and her husband, Karl Duldig, both artists living in Vienna, Austria during the 1930s.
Michael Burger, Tania de Jong, Nelson Gardner, Anton Berezinjpeg. Photo: James Terry
The narrative begins with their courtship, marriage, the arrival of Eva, their daughter, and the ominous first overtones of the Anschluss. Slawa, an inventor as well as an artist, has just patented her design for the foldable umbrella (yes, she actually invented it!) The concept of “shelter” is used a very clever leitmotif throughout the musical.
It becomes increasingly clear that the Duldigs cannot remain in Vienna and in their attempt to flee they soon realise that antipathy towards Jewish people is now a global sentiment.
Michaela Burger, Tania de Jong, Anton Berezin, Nelson Gardner, Bridget Costello. Photo: Francois Vaccarello
Meanwhile, Slawa’s beloved sister, Rella, an aspiring stage actress, marries Frenchman, Marcel so that they can move to Paris to escape (so they believe) the Nazis.
After being ejected from several supposed safe ports, Slawa, Karl and Eva finally make it to Melbourne where, after a less than hospitable reception (they are forced to spend two years in an internment camp). Alas, Slawa feels compelled to sell her umbrella patent so that she can send money back to Rella.
Bridget Costello as Eva. Photo: Francois Vaccarello
In the book by Jane Bodie and Gary Abrahams, the story is told in flashback. Eva (Bridget Costello) is a teen when we first meet her. She is aware that her parents have a traumatic past but she has never been able to extract details from them. Finally, one day, she is presented with a large cardboard box. In it are letters, documents, photos and other paraphernalia. As she sifts through and selects various items the relevant scenes are played out.
The set is static but props and effects are used to represent various other locations. A large screen above the set, in the shape of a torn strip of parchment, is used for various projections. It’s one of the rare times that such a device is used well in a theatre show. On it are projected old photos and films, fragments of letters and documents, a map and other images.
Anton Berezin, Tania de Jong & Bridget Costello. Photo: James Terry
Michaela Burger, Tania de Jong, Nelson Gardner. Photo: James Terry
The music and lyrics by Anthony Barnhill are in the style of Sondheim. Barnhill has also included several traditional Jewish songs and infused the original music with a hint of cultural nostalgia. The three piece band adds a folk authenticity to the music.
The songs are both functional and poetic, with stand outs including: “Everyone Needs Shelter”, “We Are Not Welcome”, “Beneath the Southern Cross”, “Missing Pieces of Our Past”, “So Much To Tell You.”
Anton Berezin, Tania de Jong, Nelson Gardner, Bridget Costello, Michaela Burger. Photo: Francois Vaccarello
Slawa is played by esteemed soprano, Tania de Jong AM, who also happens to be the grand daughter of Eva de Jong-Duldig. Anton Berezin is Karl, Bridget Costello plays Eva, Michaela Burger plays Rella, and Nelson Gardner plays numerous key roles and fringe characters.
All are excellent and feel very invested in the story.
Driftwood The Musical is a number of theatres in Sydney before going to New York to be workshopped. Be sure and see this stunning new Australian musical.