Talking Theatre: Director Adele Cordner Discusses Newport Playgoers’ The Diary of Anne Frank

Newport Playgoers Society’ presentation of The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and adapted by Wendy Kesselman opens at Newport’s Dolman Theatre from tonight (February 4th) and runs until February 8th, 2020.

The production directed by Adele Cordner features Newport actress Niamh Jones playing the role of Anne who will be joined by popular actors from Newport Playgoers.


Director of Newport Playgoers presentation The Diary of Anne Frank which runs at The Dolman Theatre, Newport from February 4 to 8, 2020.Director of Newport Playgoers presentation The Diary of Anne Frank which runs at The Dolman Theatre, Newport from February 4 to 8, 2020.

Director of Newport Playgoers presentation The Diary of Anne Frank which runs at The Dolman Theatre, Newport from February 4 to 8, 2020.

Adele Cordner tells Andy Howells

“I think what is amazing about The Diary of Anne Frank is her honesty and openness. The characters she draws are so realistic because she observed the people in the attic.  She describes everyone in such detail and with so much understanding of their characters that it makes it a human story.”

The Diary of Anne Frank includes live music composed and arranged by cellist Peter Thewless and features choreography by Victoria Hughes and performed by local dancers Seren Howells and Katie Francis-Teague.

Adele continues:

“In order to bring out the themes of the monologues, I felt it would be wonderful if we could add music and dance to those pieces so I approached Peter Thewless who is a Cellist and asked him if he would consider composing some music for us because I felt that cello and violin would be particularly appropriate for the play. Victoria Hughes, our choreographer has also choreographed some wonderful dance pieces.”

Tickets are available from the Dolman Theatre box office at www.dolmantheatre.co.uk and as a special offer when adults buy two tickets they can get a child ticket free allowing families the chance to see this unique presentation of Anne Frank’s story.


Bringing Anne Frank’s story to life on stage will be Katie Francis-Teague, Niamh Jones and Seren Howells Photograph: Andy Howells.Bringing Anne Frank’s story to life on stage will be Katie Francis-Teague, Niamh Jones and Seren Howells Photograph: Andy Howells.

Bringing Anne Frank’s story to life on stage will be Katie Francis-Teague, Niamh Jones and Seren Howells Photograph: Andy Howells.

Adele concludes:

“We want to tell Anne’s story to our best ability because she said in her diary that she wanted to live on after her death. I think her writing has done that. We want to help Anne’s diary live on long after her death, we want to remember her, we don’t want her to be forgotten because she was an amazing, wonderful girl.”

  • Check out our exclusive video previews of Newport Playgoers The Diary of Anne Frank above and on our YouTube channel.

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