Curve Theatre Leicester – until 14th October 2023
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
The Book Thief is a beautiful and moving piece of theatre. Adapted from Markus Zusak‘s international bestselling novel by award-winning author Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald, the story is set in 1940’s, Nazi Germany and centres around the tale of a little girl called Liesel.
12-year-old Liesel has been adopted by The Hubermann’s after her brother has died and her mother had to leave her in order to survive, under the shadow of communism. Liesel steals a book by her brother’s graveside, earning her the moniker ‘Book Thief’. Reeling from the trauma, she is taken under the wing of the Hubermann’s. An odd couple but perfectly matched in their love, and most importantly, their kindness. There home is turned upside down when for some reason The Hubermann’s decided to hide a Jewish boy, Max, from The Nazi’s, putting them all in danger. With her close friend Rudy joining the Hitler youth and her friendship with Max growing, Liesel is grappling with her understanding of why things happen. All this, whilst being watched by a most peculiar narrator. Liesel’s journey takes her on a discovery of harrowing loss, shocking injustice, and developing ways in which to face and fight tyranny with the most powerful weapon there is…words.
The Book Thief is simply sublime. It delivers a sensitive and soulful story superbly. Themes of colour, scenes interspersed with light and breath, fluid movements of the scene changers made it all feel dream like or perhaps as if we were straddling a fine line between life and death, which most were when resisting the Nazi regime. Cleverly co-ordinated choreography, tight scripts where a simple line was a sucker punch to the stomach and incredible voices, both individual and the cast as a whole, made this a mesmerising musical. Full of captivating songs, with music and lyrics by Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel, songs such as ‘Have a Heart’, and ‘Hello Stars’, the melodies were haunting in the best way. Good Teeth’s set and costume design, Dick Straker’s video and projection and Nic Farman’s lighting along with Tom Jackson Greaves’ and Tinovimbanashe Sibanda’s choreography combined to send this production into the stratosphere. Punchy, dynamic and at times so in tune with the human condition and latent emotions, you found yourself caught completely unaware until you were wiping away a tear.
The supporting cast aka the ‘Storytellers, were brilliant. They ebbed and flowed like water, bringing the stars, books, libraries, trains, puppets, and the Nazi military to life, enabling the story to unfold wonderfully. Obioma Ugoala, was astounding as the narrator. Playing additional roles too, he had boundless energy, switching emotions, and pace, whilst commanding the stage with ease. Liesel and her friend Rudy played tonight by Tilly-Raye Bayer and Thommy Bailey Vine were spellbinding. Powerhouses of talent, they fearlessly took on these complex roles with aplomb. Daniel Krikler plays Max with pure passion, you really felt he had been in the cellar for months and his moment of prayer brought the theatre to silence. Mina Anwar and Jack Lord were a joy to watch as the Hubermann’s. At times offering some comic relief, at others they tore at your heartstrings, they added so much depth to the production. Jack Lords accordion playing was a real treat.
The Book Thief is stunning, it will stop you in your tracks. It has the power to shock and sadden but to also sow seeds of hope as you follow Liesel’s life. I honestly don’t believe there was a dry eye in the theatre by the end, and the production fully deserved it’s standing ovation. The Book Thief is a triumphant piece of theatre, it has to be seen to be believed.