The Pianist review – Władysław Szpilman’s Holocaust memoir retold with his own music

Park theatre, London This adaptation is perhaps too smooth but is well-staged and performed, and draws strong feeling from the pianist’s compositions The idea of turning the survival story of the Polish pianist Władysław Szpilman into a musical might, on paper, seem distasteful given the stark subject matter of the Holocaust. There is risk of triteness, too, in the light of Roman Polanski’s acclaimed film, starring Adrien Brody, based on Szpilman’s celebrated memoir. But those who are acquainted with both those retellings of Szpilman’s second world war experiences will still find something new and affecting here. The form of the musical becomes meaningful through its use of Szpilman’s own compositions. Thom Southerland, who has adapted Szpilman’s book and directs, creates an atmospheric chamber piece, with actors playing instruments, including a piano that twirls on and off stage. Continue reading...