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Park Theatre and Original Theatre present the World Premiere of

The End of the Night

By Ben Brown

Directed by Alan Strachan

Trigger warning:
This production features explicit discussion of the Holocaust and contains antisemitic language.
 

“There is no greater duty than the redeeming of captives” Maimonides

In the final days of World War II, a secret meeting takes place between a member of the World Jewish Congress and one of the most powerful Nazis in Germany – without Hitler's knowledge.

Dr Felix Kersten, Himmler’s trusted personal physiotherapist, uses his unique position of influence to facilitate a meeting between the architect of The Holocaust and Swedish Jew Norbert Masur. A meeting which could turn Himmler’s thoughts away from the downfall of the Third Reich and towards a course of action that could save thousands of lives.

With battle lines crumbling and lives in the balance, the two men must try to find a way to persuade Himmler to release the last surviving concentration camp prisoners contrary to Hitler’s orders that no Jew should outlast the regime.

Ben Caplan (Call the Midwife) plays World Jewish Congress representative Norbert Masur alongside Richard Clothier (Young Wallander) as prominent Nazi Heinrich Himmler and Michael Lumsden (The Archers) as physiotherapist Felix Kersten. Completing the cast are Audrey Palmer (The Mousetrap) and Olivia Bernstone (Birdsong, Original Theatre).

From the writer of Three Days In May (WhatsOnStage Best New Play Award) and A Splinter of Ice and directed by Alan Strachan, The End of the Night is a tense and absorbing new drama based on a true story.


Post show Q&A Thu 26 May

Hosted by Terri Paddock with playwright Ben Brown and investigative journalist & Park Theatre Trustee Kurt Barling

FREE to ticket holders

This post-show conversation will examine the play The End of the Night as well as the role of theatre in exploring political and historical themes – with questions about the production, the Hitlerzeit and the messages the play carries for the contemporary nature of dictatorship and power.


'Fascinating fly on the wall drama' ★★★★ Daily Mail

'Intensely topical and necessary... It is theatre at its finest' ★★★★★ The Understudy

'A truly captivating show... This suspenseful play is absolutely brilliant' ★★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions

'Compellingly told Second World War story... minutely researched, highly compelling' ★★★★ The Stage

'Totally compelling, brilliant and restrained theatre.' ★★★★ Ham & High

“Depicts an important moment in history... merging an engaging delivery from the performers with quintessential cultural memory.” ★★★★ London Theatre Reviews

'A chilling history lesson' ★★★★ Reviews Hub

'The performances are uniformly powerful... it could hardly be more timely.' ★★★★ Jewish Renaissance

'Surprising, fascinating, and chilling' ★★★★ Broadway Baby

'It’s a great depiction, as writing and performance' Time Out

'Absorbing and important' The Times

'A palpable sense of foreboding' London Box Office

'Writer Ben Brown was wise in spotting the dramatic potential of this meeting.' Jonathan Baz Reviews

 
 

 

 

Photos Mark Douet, Artwork photography Michael Wharley