Dr Korczak's Example

Dr Korczak's Example
30. June 2009 - 18. July 2009

by David Grieg
Arcola Theatre, London

As the summer of 1942 advances, the days of the Warsaw Ghetto are numbered. Dr Janusz Korczak, the remarkable founder of its Jewish orphanage, finds his pacifist principles pushed to the limit, not only by the advancing Nazi regime, but by the arrival of Adzio, a boy who believes in fighting back.

“I’ve trained them well. For a perfect world. How will they survive this one?”

Renowned playwright David Greig, imaginatively recounts the true story and last days of Dr Korczak, who created a radical utopian home for the young people in his care. His work insisted that children have rights and should be treated as equals and became the basis for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Directed by Amy Leach
Designed by Miriam Nabarro
Performed by Philip Rham, Amaka Okafor, Craig Vye

THE LONDON REVIEWS

"‘Dr Korczak’s Example’ asks subtle and important questions about whether it is more important to resist, or to try to remain uninfected by the violence of your enemies." "Unerringly tactful and imaginative". Caroline McGinn, Time Out, 3 stars

"Interestingly ... it offers many moral shades of grey where a lesser play would have given us blacks and whites." Josh Loeb, Camden New Journal

"Leach has done a strong job at turning Greig’s slightly obvious text into a successful piece of theatrical storytelling. Honour Bayes, The Public Review

"Dr Korczak's Example should be seen as an important play, but has enough lightness to make a difficult topic bearable and should have as much appeal to an adult audience as its original target." Philip Fisher, British Theatre Guide

"A powerful story told with a powerful and eloquent simplicity." Judi Herman, All About Jewish Theatre

"This is a smart and engaging piece of theatre" Maddy Ryle, Remote Goat, 3 stars

THE MANCHESTER REVIEWS

“Challenging, inventive and intelligent theatre” - Lyn Gardner, The Guardian, Four stars

“A true story, tragic and moving... One of the 20th century’s unsung heroes.” - The Sunday Times, Four Stars

“Dr Korczak is a wonderfully inspiring character… His story needs to be told to and understood by every generation.” Manchester Evening News.

Winner: Manchester Evening News Award for Best Studio Production 2008

Photograph of Hana and George Brady