Theatre of Despair The Story of the Theatre Group Westerbork One can vanquish a people, but never its spirit. -Stefan Zweig
The Camp History Why was Westerbork built and by whom? May 1940 Germans invaded and took over the camp Who did it house? 1942
Continued Camp History Illegal immigrants shelter camp Transit Camp Camp Amenities were numerous and the prisoners here had it comparatively much better than in many other places However, there was a great deal of cruelty in the calm
before we get into that, let me introduce Comedian, actor, director and author, Max Erlich was a Jew at the top of his career in 1933. He had been involved in over 40 film projects and was widely known and loved across Europe. MAX EHRLICH
The End Begins 1933-National Socialists bring a halt to Jews in the arts. Ehrlich leaves for Vienna Moves around Holland and Switzerland for a while before returning to Germany in 1935. Jewish Cultural Union Ehrlich named Director of Bund s Light Theatre Department. Leaves 1939 Theatre of Celebrities in Holland
Max Arrested 1943-along with many of his colleagues, Ehrlich is arrested and imprisoned in Westerbork concentration camp.
Theatre Group Westerbork is Born There was already a small orchestra in place at the camp a legacy of pre-nazi Westerbork. Formed the group 6 Full Scale productions
More about the Company Famous Personalities in the Company Max Ehrlich Willy Rosen Erich Ziegler Camila Spira Kurt Geron Esther Philipse Jetty Cantor Johnny Jones...the list continues
The Shows Six Full Length Shows in 18 months Bunter Abend (A Colorful Evening) Humor und Melodie (Humor and Melody) Bravo! Da capo! Bunter Abend 2 Bunter Abend 3 Total Veruckt (Totally Backwards)
Bunter Abend The First Bunter Abend premiered in July 1943 and was billed with 10 scenes Very well received
The Newly Rebuilt Stage After their first performance, the group got permission to increase the number of people in the company. New Stage is Built
Humor und Melodie The second cabaret Production boasted 18 scenes complete with sets and costumes and a full orchestra. Yellow stars were still worn, even on the costumes, to act as a grim reminder.
When a Little Package Arrives This number was performed by Camilla Spira and the Dance Troupe during Humor and Melodie Louis de Wijze
Lines Translated When a little parcel arrives, big and small are happy When a little parcel arrives the sun shines, despite the rain A well tied-up little package, totally free of charge One cannot be quick enough to undo its knot When a little parcel arrives, whoever is ill no longer feels sick And you write a little card to say Thank You Of course, it s a pity the butter is missing in the parcel And you accept, for lack of choice, a little jar of marmelade The most important, however, is that you re often sent A soft roll of toilet paper
Critics Say Contemporary Observers claim that the Best Cabaret in Europe is inside the walls of Westerbork.
There s Always a Catch Used as a CONTROL DEVICE DESENSITIZATION
Strife Among Prisoners Troupe Members were given special considerations causing jealousy and animosity Not all inmates enjoyed the Cabaret
Other Opinions The majority seemed to be in favor of any distraction at all. As Jean Clair writes in his biography of Zoran Music (Dachau, 1944) He who kept within himself a trace of the cultivated world could hope to resist death.
Thus, Theatre of Despair Choosing who would live or die by who would be in the troupe Compromising your art for survival Entertaining your murderers
OTHER CAMPS Arts was a means of escape and survival Humanity Continuity Example, Brundibar
Hand Drawn Music Programs
The End ends. Summer 1944 The Bitter Price of Fame
Max Ehrlich is Killed Gassed at Auschwitz in 1944
Of the over 50 members of Theatre Group Westerbork, I have only found that 2 survived the war.
Westerbork Liberated Late in 1944, Allies Liberated Westerbork. Of the over 103,000 prisoners of the camp, only 900 remain. The rest were executed at Auschwitz. None of the buildings stand anymore.
Memorials No train will leave from Westerbork ever again
ROLL CALL
Things to Ponder Max Ehrlich was such an amazing artist before the war, is it wrong to remember him most for Westerbork? Consider the legacy of art born through strife. How lasting is it? What impacts does it have on the contemporary world? Images that Stay with you Songs that remind you of things
A culture is as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. --Tom Cruise, Inside the Actor s Studio