Type – True Story, Adaptation
If you liked – Anne Being Frank, The Secret Garden, The Pianist, War Horse
The Diary of Anne Frank: In the darkest of moments, hope is all you have – and for Anne Frank, that was enough
On a wet and windy Sydney evening, stepping into the grandeur of the State Theatre Sydney felt like entering a different world – one that would soon narrow into the fragile, confined existence of eight people in hiding.
The Diary of Anne Frank adapted by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, brings to life the story of Anne Frank – a young Jewish girl hiding with her family in an Amsterdam secret annex during World War II. While many are familiar with the historical context, this production focuses on the intimate, human experience behind the history.
What sets this play apart is its staging. The State Theatre stage is transformed into the cramped annex itself, immediately immersing the audience in the restricted environment shared by the Frank family and the Van Pels. The lack of space becomes central to the storytelling, heightening the tension that arises when eight people are forced to live in such close quarters. Privacy disappears, and even small irritations are amplified.
At the heart of the play is Anne herself (played by Chloe-Jean Vincent) – just 13 years old, spirited, opinionated, and determined to assert her independence. The strained relationship between Anne and her mother is portrayed with emotional clarity, capturing the universal push and pull of adolescence under extraordinary pressure.
There are also moments of softness, particularly in the developing connection between Anne and Peter van Pels (played by Nathan Hampson). Their relationship introduces a sense of youthful longing and quiet companionship – small but meaningful comforts in an otherwise tense environment. It reinforces the idea that even in crisis, human connection remains essential.
The production also highlights the discipline required to survive in hiding. From 8am to 6pm on weekdays, the group must remain silent while workers move below them. This enforced stillness creates an underlying tension that runs throughout the performance, reminding the audience of the constant danger they face.
The cast operates as a tight ensemble, working together to convey the emotional weight of confinement and uncertainty. It’s the collective dynamic and human spirit that carries the story forward.
Is The Diary of Anne Frank Worth Seeing in Sydney?
While the story itself is deeply moving, this production doesn’t quite deliver a wow moment. Still, its themes of hope and resilience resonate. You leave the theatre knowing one thing: in the darkest of moments, hope is all you have – and for Anne Frank, that was enough.
Tickets and Practical Info for The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett in Sydney 🎟️
Produced and directed by Drew Anthony Creative
State Theatre Review (Sydney)
Tickets: https://www.statetheatre.com.au/show-calendar/the-diary-of-anne-frank/
Season: 25 March 2026 – 2 April 2026
