INTERVIEW
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS
The 2006 John Boyne novel tells of two children in the Second World War and their unlikely friendship. One, Bruno, is the son of a Nazi concentration camp commandant and the other, Shmuel, is a Jewish prisoner from Poland. Both the book and subsequent film were hugely successful. John, who has taught creative writing at The University of East Anglia, has been very closely involved in this new adaptation, with Edward saying: ‘He has been integral to it and helped us tremendously.’ And John says: ‘I read the script and made some suggestions. It’s a fairly faithful adaptation of the novel but I don’t have a theatrical background and so it has been a bit of an education for me. ‘Those who haven’t read the book may well be taken by surprise and shocked at the ending, but that was the reaction of the original readers to the book. The playwright and the theatrical producers want people to come out with an emotional response as well.’ The show has been playing to full houses around the country and Edward is certain it will be popular in Norwich. ‘My daughter was very keen for me to stage this show. Like many teenagers she does like some very dark pieces – think of Michael Morpurgo.’ He hasn’t decided what show the company will stage next year but reckons it will be something a bit more jolly. ‘It always has to be something well known, something that will attract teenagers, school parties and families,’ says Edward. His next big project involves one of the greatest living actors, Sir Kenneth Branagh. ‘We have secured him for a whole year. He will be both directing and starring in a series of plays, including a Shakespeare, in the West End. It is very exciting!’ Edward, who grew up in Horsford, near Norwich, attended Taverham High School where he discovered his love of theatre. He also attended dramatic courses at the Theatre Royal before doing Theatre Studies at City College, Norwich. He cut his professional teeth at the Theatre Royal, under the legendary Dick Condon, before working at the Wellington Pier in Great Yarmouth and the Pavilion Theatre in Cromer. A move to London followed and the rest, as they say, is history. His father still lives in a village near Cromer and Edward with his family, wife Marilyn and two children, are regular visitors. ‘I enjoy coming to Norfolk – the Theatre Royal is very well run and we also like trips to Cromer; it is still a proper working town.’ So Edward is a long way from his first theatre, one in his parents’ back garden called the Barn Theatre, but that passion of his is still burning bright.
Leading theatrical light Edward Snape brings his latest show,
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, to Norwich this month. Sarah Hardy finds out why he chose this challenging piece
T
heatrical impresario Edward Snape is
responsible for some of the most popular shows in the country over the last few years – think The 39 Steps, and The Ladykillers, two huge West End hits which also toured successfully. As the founder of the independent theatre production company Fiery Angel, Edward, who grew up in Norwich, has the Midas touch when it comes to shows with his hits ranging from Peppa Pig to Me and My Girl! He is also behind the Children’s Touring Partnership which produces high quality drama for that rather tricky age group – children aged eight and above. Previous shows have included Goodnight Mister Tom and Swallows and Amazons, both of which were very popular when they came to Norwich. Edward says: ‘Now we have the huge challenge of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. It is such a complex piece, with such a dark storyline, and the two lead actors are aged 10, so we like to make it tough for ourselves! ‘But that is the whole point of what we do, we don’t want to shy away from anything.’
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