True story of surviving the Holocaust and forging a path to acceptance and forgiveness.
A real-life story about trauma, survival and ultimately healing, As Long As We Are Breathing combines physical theatre and music with audio and video to depict the extraordinary journey of Miriam Freedman who, after surviving the Holocaust, managed to find her way to forgiveness. Born in Bratislava (then Czechoslovakia, now Slovakia), Miriam spent most of her childhood during the Second World War in hiding with her mother, sister, aunts and cousin. Through amazing good fortune and with courageous help they evaded Nazi capture, but her father, brother and another sister did not survive. Weaving together her early years and adulthood, two actresses play younger and older Miriam on her healing path as she discovers yoga, meditation and art therapy which enable her to break through denial to face and process the depths of her loss and grief.
Inspired by interviews with Miriam and drawing on her memoir Love Is Always the Answer, As Long As We Are Breathing is written by award-winning writer Diane Samuels (Kindertransport). Directed by Ben Caplan, the show was developed at JW3 last year and will make its world premiere at Arcola Theatre. Two actresses play older Miriam and Eva, her younger self, accompanied by a live musician. Miriam Freedman is now ninety and based in North London where she continues to run meditation sessions each month.
Cast
Zoe Goriely, Caroline Gruber and Matthew Hinchliffe.
Listings
As Long As We Are Breathing: 29 January – 1 March 2025
Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL
Performances at 7pm Monday – Saturday | Matinees on Saturdays at 3pm
PREVIEW TICKETS - Best £25, Value £15, PWYC £5
STANDARD TICKETS - Best £29, Best (concession) £27, Value £20, PWYC £5
Tickets: www.arcolatheatre.com
Further Information: As Long As We Are Breathing - Arcola Theatre