Winni Players to present staged reading of Holocaust-themed play 'Incident at Vichy' April 30

LACONIA — The Winni Players, in conjunction with Temple B’Nai Israel, will present a staged reading of the Holocaust-themed play "Incident at Vichy" at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday April 30.

The performances of the play, written by Arthur Miller, will commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The 1964 play focuses upon the subjects of human nature, guilt, fear, and complicity using Vichy, France as the setting. A group of detainees are rounded up around the city and brought to a holding facility to be interrogated by a Nazi Major and his French police collaborators. While waiting, the men, who may or may not all be Jewish, are in a state of denial about their predicament and ultimately await their fate in the interrogation room as they convince themselves that the mass deportations and killings they are hearing about cannot possibly be happening.

Among the major questions the play attempts to address is one that has haunted many people since the end of the Holocaust — why did Jews so often walk to their deaths without offering resistance, and how were the Nazis able to perpetrate the Holocaust while so many people stood by and watched?

Playhouse Executive Director Bryan Halperin stated, “Each year I have tried to choose a different kind of play that looks at the Holocaust from a different angle and provides for new topics of discussion. This year, with 'Incident at Vichy,' I look at the question of ‘What would I have done in this situation? Would I have waited to take my turn in line for interrogation, or would I have tried to fight back and escape? Would I have tried to help others or just worried about my own survival?'”

Continuing with the format of prior years, immediately following the performances a discussion between the performers and audience will take place to allow people to share ideas and feelings about what they’ve just witnessed.

A minimum donation of $5 per person is requested. This is an event for the entire community and the Temple and Playhouse encourage people from all walks of life and religions to take part. As the theatre has limited seating, reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 366-7377. More information about the Playhouse can be found at www.winniplayhouse.org.