From the writer of Three Days In May and A Splinter of Ice and acclaimed director Alan Strachan comes The End of the Night, the world premiere of a tense new drama based on an astonishing true story.
In the final days of World War II, a secret meeting takes place between a member of the World Jewish Congress and one of the most powerful Nazis in Germany – without Hitler’s knowledge. Dr Felix Kersten, Himmler’s trusted personal physiotherapist, uses his unique position of influence to facilitate a meeting between the architect of The Holocaust and Swedish Jew Norbert Masur.
Bringing together a stellar cast of stage and screen performers, Original Theatre and Park Theatre’s The End of the Night stars Ben Caplan (previously a series regular in Call the Midwife) in the role of Masur alongside Richard Clothier (stage credits include numerous RSC productions and TV credits including the likes of Young Wallander) as Himmler. Completing the cast is Michael Lumsden, who is most well-known for his role as Alistair Lloyd in The Archers for the past two decades, Audrey Palmer whose stage credits include The Mousetrap and Olivia Bernstone who previously starred in Original Theatre’s Birdsong both in-person and online during lockdown.
The End of the Night shines a light on a meeting which could turn Himmler’s thoughts away from the downfall of the Third Reich and towards a course of action that could save thousands of lives. With battle lines crumbling and lives in the balance, the two men must try to find a way to persuade Himmler to release the last surviving concentration camp prisoners contrary to Hitler’s orders that no Jew should outlast the regime.
Playwright Ben Brown said, “A few years ago I read a reference in a newspaper to Hitler’s henchman, Heinrich Himmler, having a masseur who persuaded him to meet and negotiate with Jews. This led me to the true story of Norbert Masur, a Swedish member of the World Jewish Congress, who, incredibly bravely, flew to Berlin for a secret meeting with Himmler two weeks before the end of the war to try to persuade him to release the surviving members of the concentration camps. I’m so pleased that this play, which was about to be announced when Covid struck, is finally coming to Park Theatre as planned, with Alan Strachan directing and Original Theatre co-producing.”
The End of the Night is at Park Theatre 27th April to 28th May 2022.
