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| “Address Unknown” reading in Benidorm 28 November 2006 “Inspiring” powerful” “so emotional”, these were some of the reactions to the recent Xàbia Book Circle presentation of a dramatised reading of “Address Unknown” at the social centre of the Benidorm Synagogue. The book was written in 1938 by an American journalist Katharine Kressman Taylor and its success, both then and again in 1995 when it was republished, is a tribute to the power of the writing, which the author used to warn of the destructive power of racist ideology. The story unfolds through a series of letters between two German friends who are business partners in America, which recount succinctly the terrible changes to the lives of the men and their families brought by the rise of the Nazi party in pre-war Germany. Max, a Jew, remains in California to manage their art and antique business, while Martin, a non-Jew, returns with his family to Germany in 1932 to expand the European side of the business. At first Martin is depressed by the social and economic misery that he finds and gradually he is impressed by the energy of the ideas of Adolf Hitler. Away from America and his friend Max, his liberal philosophy is replaced by a blind allegiance to a doctrine of racism and intolerance, with tragic results.  The presentations of Address Unknown on the Costa Blanca - the first was in 2006 in Xabia, are the culmination of a five-year dream of Calpe resident Bertrand Lewinson, who, together with his family, was a refugee from Nazi persecution. The recent production in Benidorm, directed by book circle member Anne Griffith, was dedicated to Bertrand and his family, and the many others in the Synagogue audience whose lives were similarly affected. The part of Max was played Huw Griffith and that of Martin by Christopher North. The narrator was Sue Mercer. Cast: Prologue - Sue Mercer Max Eisenstein - Huw Griffith Martin Schulse - Christopher North Directed by Anne Griffith Produced by Bertrand Lewison With special thanks to Evie Lewison and family for design, music and photography Assisted by members of the Xabia Book Circle Committee Back to top Back to Articles page |
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