An uncomfortable yet beguiling production of The Passenger based on the original novel by Ulrich Boschwitz first published in 1938, unsuccessfully received by the public. It was reissued in 2021 soon gathering a cult following. Considering the subject matter the world saw History in a different light during almost eighty years after its first publication and could understand the horror and cruelty that Jewish families faced during Hitler’s rule over Nazi Germany.

Robert Neumark Jones gives an outstanding performance as Otto Silbermann born in Germany with Jewish heritage. Settled with his family in Germany and busy with his business life was going well. Within a week due to the changes taking place by the German government Jewish people were now seen as an enemy that needed to be eradicated. It was no longer legal for them to own property or businesses.

Silbermann is swindled out of everything by his so-called friends and separated from his family, plunged into an unknown and dangerous future.

The rest of the characters are performed by the strong highly talented cast of four Ben Fox, Dan Milne, Kelly Price and Eric MacLennan. They work together with precision and ease although as I watch the fast character changes, I admire the work the cast has put into The Passenger. The subject matter must be mentally draining for each of them as well as physical.

Each one is a cameo role of the people Silbermann meets on his journeys. From the German chess player on the train, a nurse who treats him in hospital from exhaustion and the Belgium border patrol. Each one is believable and equally trying to survive in a fast-changing environment which swept fear across everyone. Being associated with a “Jew” was just as dangerous and could lead to death.

Director Tim Supple alongside set and costume designer Hannah Schmidt position all the action around the black and white square tiled staged area, which has four sides of three seats of padded benches. Using the entire space of The Finborough throughout the performance. Mind your feet at all times if you are sat in the front rows.

However, with everything that History shows us about the abhorrent way people have treated each other, and the millions of people who have lost their lives due to the race or the colour of their skin these horrendous atrocities are still taking place today.

The Passenger is a must-see production and deserves to be sold out at every performance. So far in 2025, this is my number one play. It’s rare to come away from a play being moved and angry in equal measures in a way that I find only Theatre can.

The Finborough Theatre offers the perfect intimate space to allow the audience to become aware of the action. As the trains hurtle across Germany. For more information about The Passenger please visit the link below.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Steve Gregson.

The Passenger