Synopsis:
Germany, 1945. Thomas, one of thousands of children stolen by the Nazis from Eastern Europe during WWII, is under the care of Ruth, a UN relief worker. Should she try to find his parents or leave him with those he’s grown up with? The choice she makes will shape his life.
London, 1990. Years later, Thomas visits Ruth. As they untangle the past, the decisions Ruth made as a very young woman are called powerfully into question.
Artistic Statement: This is a timely new play written by David Lan and directed by Stephen Daldry. Telling bold new stories on our stages has always been a hallmark of the National Theatre and we are proud that The Land of the Living was one of the first production to reopen the Dorfman Theatre after essential maintenance. With its sophisticated exploration of historical events, we hope it will resonate with audiences worldwide. - Indhu Rubasingham, Director and Co-CEO National Theatre