Park Theatre – until 9 February 2019
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Set in December 2001, with anti-immigration and right-wing voices becoming more prominent in Denmark, the characters in Rosenbaum’s Rescue look back at the evacuation of 7,500 Jews from Denmark to Sweden in October 1943.
Lars (Neil McCaul) is writing a book about the rescue of the Danish Jews, and visits Abraham (David Bamber) to interview him, bringing along his daughter Eva (Dorothea Myer-Bennett). The two men were boys during the war, and Lars’ father carried Abraham’s family to safety in Sweden in his boat. Their fractious relationship is refereed by Abraham’s wife Sara (Julia Swift), who has a romantic history with Lars. Lars questions the accepted narrative of the Danish people rescuing the Jews and is convinced that the Nazis must have somehow allowed it to happen, to the horror of Abraham, whose faith was strengthened by the miracle of the rescue. Stranded in Abraham’s house by snow storms on the last days of Hanukah, Abraham gradually reveals long-hidden facts about his father being tipped off about the German roundup of Jews, and Lars’ quest for the truth ignites bitter conflict between the two men.
As the men battle over whether the story told by history should be based on faith or proof, Sara acts as the voice of reason and reconciliation, while Eva (handily both a neuroscientist and an aspiring writer) asks all the necessary questions to allow further exposition and adds a commentary on what a good story needs. Do we really want the cold hard facts about historical events, or part of the truth that allows a nation to feel good about itself? Myth or facts? Heart or head?
The characters go on to ask whether the people of Denmark would take the same risks to help Muslim migrants in 2001, and their opinions are upsetting but obvious in 2019 when far-right groups and nationalism are prominent.
This could be the driest of dry plays, but A.Bodin Saphir has created characters who throw a lot of historical details at the audience in an engaging and humorous way. Director Kate Fahy doesn’t rush the exposition and the excellent cast give memorable performances. Bamber is in fine form as Abraham, and McCaul captures the arrogant certainty of Lars brilliantly. Swift is warm and funny as Sara, and Myer-Bennett gives a sharp and intelligent performance.
Rosenbaum’s Rescue is thought-provoking and smart but has a warm and witty heart.