Letters From a Troubled Past

LETTERS FROM A TROUBLED PAST IN 2 ACTS
TORN APART BY WAR by Vic Alhadeff

TORN APART BY WAR is the compelling true story of two people whose lives were turned upside-down by war and misunderstanding. If things had gone according to plan, everything would have been so different. Vic Alhadeff's father thought his fiancée had been murdered at Auschwitz; she thought he had perished. The drama takes place during World War II against the backdrop of the Greek island of Rhodes.

Vic Alhadeff is a Non-Executive Director of SBS, former Chair of Multicultural NSW; former CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, former editor of the Australian Jewish News; former Chief Sub-Editor of The Cape Times in South Africa and the author of two books on South African history.

Asked about this new work, Alhadeff said: "The play brings to life my father's heartbreaking human drama. I've long been aware of his story and of the far-reaching implications if things had worked out the way they were intended. As a former journalist and author, bringing it to life has been a powerful personal experience and I am grateful for the opportunity."

LETTERS OF LOSS AND REFUGE

In 2009 Rudolf Schwab’s letters were discovered by his grandson Daniel, in a forgotten trunk in the garage of the family home. From this valuable collection of letters, we are taken on a powerful and poignant journey of insight into Rudolf's struggles as a refugee, his displacement, loss of family, reconnection with those who survived and his surprising relationship with his German friend, Karl, a war-wounded Nazi.

Both these performances will be followed by two further performances at the Randwick Ritz as part of the Jewish International Film Festival on Sunday March 20 at 4.30pm & Sunday April 3 at 4.30pm.