On a high

When our English teacher asked his esteemed pupils to consider auditioning for a role in the play, Day of Atonement, I put my hand up, not knowing what to expect. The play is based on Margaret Lucy Bellamy Wood’s book about a family in Nazi Germany (she wrote numerous plays of historical importance). The production has five characters; the parents, Jacob and Marthe, a daughter Ilse (who is only referred to in the play), the son Otto, and Dr. Kraus. The setting is a room in a displaced persons camp somewhere in Germany, twelve years after hostilities ended. It is a bare and comfortless room; a stove sits in the corner with a saucepan of soup warming for dinner, a shabby clothes-horse stands to the side as well as a dresser with tin plates, mugs and a loaf of bread, that sit on top of it. A door, with coat hooks opens and closes on cue. A table, with places set for dinner, is the focal point of the action. The themes of redemption and forgiveness guide the conflict.

So, after numerous readings, I get to play Otto, a young, brooding character, of twenty-two years; dressed in jeans, a shirt and a leather jacket and cap. He is hangs out with a bunch of hooligans, including a friend, Moishe, and is influenced by them.

The conflict surrounds a Dr. Kraus, whom Jacob and Marthe praise for his work in the camp, and the successful operation on their daughter Ilse. They have faith in the doctor. Otto, on the other hand is critical of Dr. Kraus and questions what he did in the war. On her return from the hospital, Marthe bought a bottle of wine to celebrate the success of Ilse’s operation and to share that with Dr. Kraus, who is coming for dinner. When Otto sees the wine, he is upset by the extravagance, as he shares his wages with the family. Jacob and Marthe last had a bottle of wine before they were sent to a concentration camp twelve yeas ago. Otto storms out of the house knowing that Dr. Kraus is coming for dinner, saying he is going to visit Moishe.

At dinner Dr. Kraus is adamant that Ilse cannot remain in Germany and should go to Israel, where the dry climate will help her. He also suggests, that Otto should go with her as his involvement with the hooligans is not good for him or the family. Dr. Kraus has the connections and offers to pay for their relocation. Jacob and Marthe say they are too old to go, but agree to the idea of Ilse and Otto going to Israel.

Otto returns home while Dr. Kraus is still there. In anger, he tells his parents of the doctor’s role in the concentration camps. In spite of this horror, Jacob and Marthe wholeheartedly forgive Dr. Kraus. The doctor says he is willing to stand trial, but Jacob persuades him otherwise. Dr. Kraus leaves the house and is captured by the hooligans and shot. On hearing this, Otto breaks down, accepting his father’s forgiveness of his indiscretion.

The play ends with Otto pleading “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthini” or “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”

It was a chance for me to push the envelope, a chance to try something different. Did I miss my calling? I know I didn’t miss a cue. The first “live” performance was in front of the entire school, and then to visiting parents on a open-house weekend. I found it exhilarating, it kept me awake with the excitement and encouragement. On a high!