Clare Fraenkel’s I Was A German is a compelling and deeply personal solo performance that deftly weaves together family history, political reflection and poignant storytelling. Staged at ZOO Southside, this one-hour piece is a thoughtful meditation on identity, displacement and the legacy of exile, told with warmth and intelligence.
The production begins with Fraenkel’s own story: a British citizen applying to reclaim German citizenship lost by her grandfather, Heinz, under Nazi persecution. What unfolds is a layered narrative that blends her contemporary experience with Heinz’s extraordinary journey from 1930s Berlin to wartime Britain. Fraenkel’s grandfather, a Jewish writer and journalist, fled Germany after a chilling warning that the secret police were waiting at his apartment. He never returned, and later wrote Farewell to Germany, a book explaining why he chose not to reclaim his citizenship.
Fraenkel’s performance is intimate and engaging, with moments of audience interaction that draw us into her emotional and intellectual dilemma. She explores the paradox of claiming a nationality her grandfather rejected, for a country she was not born in, all in the shadow of Brexit. Her delivery is honest and nuanced, never veering into sentimentality, and always grounded in a desire to understand rather than judge.
The staging is simple but effective. Projections nod to the silent film era, adding texture and historical resonance, while Arran Glass’s original music and sound design subtly underscore the emotional beats. Fraenkel’s storytelling is enriched by these visual and auditory elements, creating a sense of time and place that feels both specific and universal.
I Was A German particularly draws parallels between past and present. Fraenkel gently questions whether Britain remains the tolerant refuge her grandfather once found, hinting at the shifting attitudes towards migrants and refugees today. It’s a timely reminder that history’s lessons are easily forgotten.
Director Lowri James ensures the pacing remains tight, allowing the narrative to unfold with clarity and emotional depth. The piece never feels didactic, instead offering a space for reflection and dialogue. I Was A German a fine example of how personal stories can illuminate broader social truths. Fraenkel’s voice is one worth listening to, and her grandfather’s story is one worth remembering.
