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  • Clare Fraenkel presents

    I Was A German

    Sat 19 Mar at 7.30pm
    Tickets £8
    ARCHIVE
    A night out in Berlin turned into escape from Gestapo turned into a refugee overnight. In post-Brexit London, Clare reclaims her grandad's stolen citizenship and takes a deep dive through his wild true story.
    Content Notice
    Running Time 40 minutes
    Content Notice
    Content NoticeContains references to antisemitism, incarceration and war.
    Health Notice
    Health NoticeFlashing lights, loud noise, food

    “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.

    "An unrivalled chance to see edgy, experimental and brand-new theatre"

    Time Out