A Review by Tal Gordon for “The Stage” Internet site

Translated from the Hebrew

Step by Step the Nephesh Theatre successfully portrays a Holocaust story that is nearly impossible to comprehend

A Japanese set greets us, a large screen centre stage, sounds of a violin intermingle with the digital sound creations of Yuval Mesner, bringing us the story of Hana Brady, beginning in a small town in Czechoslavakia, to Tereizenstadt ending in Auschwitz in the first half of the 1940’s.

I watched “Hana’s Suitcase” alongside grade 7 and 8 students who sat tense in their seats , not because of the horror, but the sheer humanity which shined through in this true and fascinating story which gives us a new perspective on the Holocaust as its plot unravels.

Through the eyes of Fumiko Ishioka, a young teacher that heads the Holocaust Centre in Tokyo, and her two students, who are strengthened through their despairing journey of an empty suitcase which have only the words “Hana Brady” written on it upon arriving to her Centre from Auschwitz  in the year 2000.

Throughout this one hour presentation we are shown the story of one family. Portrayed in the most personal way, step by step, limitation after limitation, prohibition after prohibition, this incomprehendible story of the Holocaust, is presented in an exacting treatment, that is so powerful it is almost relentless.

It is not easy to deal with the subject of the Holocaust without slipping into overly heightened emotions on the one hand, and on the other without losing the audience who time after time gets the regular dose that chokes them up. Or to resort to artistic means that can easily disconnect the story from its emotional embolical cord – and this is what strengthens my respect and admiration for what takes place upon the stage. 

Like the delicate hands of a painter who makes painful and precise choices, Howard Rypp, the director of this production, and who founded Nephesh Theatre over 30 years ago in Canada, tells us Hana’s story, with theatrical means that inspire respect.

Documentary  family photographs and actual drawings made by Hana in the ghetto as well minimilistic video art join the different times in an artistic and convincing manner separating the ghosts and sounds of the past with the present day characters, through balanced and precise acting-and this is the key to the work done on the stage of “Hana’s Suitcase- an impressive ensemble of the theatre’s seven actors.

For over 30 years Nephesh Theatre has been producing plays. Today it offers 15 productions in Hebrew, five in English, that portray themes important to them- Jewish values, Zionism, and acceptance of the “other”. “Hana’s Suitcase” reflects a high level in all the parameters of theatre- from choice of story up to and including the artistic collaboraters who work together.

The story made me leave the theatre in tears and stayed with me for many days afterwards. I can confidently say the production is suited for youth 13 years and up with no limit upwards.