If you don’t know about a group of students known as White Rose in the context of World War II then get yourself down to The Marylebone Theatre in London.
These students were plotting a campaign against Adolph Hitler at the peak of his powers in a time and place where those that did so did it by putting their lives on the line. ‘White Rose’ the show tells their story, their determination, and their eventual demise at the hands of the Gestapo. ‘White Rose’ is actually a musical – and through song – we get to know the characters and, as a group, they band together to spread their message via leaflets and graffiti.
The group are led by sibling leaders Sophie and Hans Scholl (played by Collette Guitart and Tobias Turley), and are secretly advised by one professor at their school Kurt Huber (Mark Wiltshire). It’s a dramatic, important and ultimately devastating story that needs to be told and heard, especially in these days of uncertainty, and this production just about pulls it off. While a couple of the actors don’t quite speak loud enough, and some of the performances could be a bit better, they all sing and act to tell this story, especially in times like these where a repeat of a copycat Hitler regime could happen again.
One of the aforementioned flyers which are thrown into the audience at the end of the show just about sums up the show:
For Hitler and his followers, no punishment on this earth can be commensurate with their crimes, but out of love for our coming generations we must make an example after the conclusion of this war, so that no one will have he slightest urge to attempt such actions ever again. We will not be silent. We are you conscience. TheWhite Rose will leave you in peace.
Let’s make sure the deaths of the White Rose are not in vain.
White Rose: The Musical is on until April 13th, 2025