“I was a German
because I was born in Germany.
I was a German
because my parents and grandparents were born in Germany
lived there all their lives, and lay buried in German soil.
I was a German…
because I felt at home in Germany.”
What would you do if your country was taken from you?
In post-Brexit London, Clare reclaims her grandad Heinz's stolen citizenship, & plunges into his wild true story, facing questions like: is Heinz’s citizenship hers to take? Is Britain the same country he fell in love with years ago?
This play-in-development takes a deep dive through the cabaret of 1930s Berlin, ‘Enemy Aliens’ in 1940s Britain, via Hollywood, bombings, & getting arrested by everyone from the Red Army to Winston Churchill...
A vivid account of one German Jewish refugee as he tries to find his way home.
I Was A German is playfully told using light, shadow, projections, music and sound, in collaboration with Shadowboxer Theatre, with songs by Arran Glass. Written and performed by Clare Fraenkel, directed by Lowri James
I Was A German’s development has been generously supported by ACE National Lottery Project Grants and JW3 London. Shortlisted for the 2022 LET Award.
“Keep up the good work producing cutting-edge theatre for everyone in London”
Councillor Jonathan Simpson, 29 January 2018
