Little Lark of London

“Even in these remarkably polarized times, it is possible to really hear people with whom you have deep differences and to make some kind of human connection despite them”

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank opens at the Marylebone Theatre next month. The show, written by Nathan Englander and directed by Patrick Marber, is an adaptation of Englander’s own short story that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, which focuses on two middle-aged married couples sitting around a table and sharing some alcohol, which leads to what they call the “Anne Frank game.” The cast is made up of Joshua Malina as Phil, Caroline Catz as Debbie, Dorothea Myer – Bennett as Shoshana, Simon Yadoo as Yerucham and Gabriel Howel as Trevor. 

Recently, I had the chance to speak with Malina about taking on the role of Phil in What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank. We discussed how he first got started in the world of theatre, what it has been like taking on the role of Phil and what he hopes audiences take away from the show.

How did you first get started in the world of theatre?

Well, I really started as a kid – school plays, summer camp musicals, community theatre, that sort of thing. Then I majored in Theatre Studies as an undergraduate at Yale. Professionally, I got my first stage break early, through pure luck, thanks to my friendship with Aaron Sorkin. I graduated college in 1988 and moved to New York City.  I quickly became poker buddies with Aaron, and he asked me whether I wanted to audition for the Broadway company of A Few Good Men. He pushed for me to be cast, and so I realized a boyhood dream at 23 when the play opened at The Music Box Theatre on November 15, 1989.

What made you want to be a part of What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank? Had you been aware of the original short story?

I was a big fan of Nathan Englander’s writing long before I was offered the play. I had read and loved two collections of his stories, as well as his novels, Dinner at the Centre of the Earth and Kaddish.com. I flipped when I was told I was being offered a play based on What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank. And when I read it, I felt like Nathan knew me, like he had written a bespoke role for me, although of course he hadn’t. I accepted the job immediately, and so began two years of desperately waiting for a lull in the pandemic that would allow us to go into rehearsal at last.

Can you tell us a bit about the character you play, Phil, and the role he plays in the show?

Phil is a successful lawyer in Miami. He’s a loving husband and dad who identifies strongly as a Jew, albeit an almost entirely secular one. He’s opinionated and confident and wields an acerbic wit – sometimes too freely.

What is it like to be making your London theatrical debut in What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank?

Oh, this is a dream. To be revisiting a cherished role in a funny, provocative piece by a great writer and now friend – directed by Patrick Marber, whom I love, and who guided me into the Broadway company of Leopoldstatdt, is more than I could ask for. Add to that the opportunity to do this play in the birthplace of Shakespeare, and we are looking at a highly-ranked entry on my bucket list.

How have the rehearsals for What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank been going?

Rehearsals have been going very well. It’s a wonderful cast and crew and we have been having excellent, intense rehearsals. A lot of laughs and deep discussions.

What is it like to be working with writer Nathan Englander and director Patrick Marber?

It’s the second time around for me with each of these distinguished gentlemen. I consider them both close friends, and in the process of working together, Patrick and Nathan have bonded, so we’re now a sort of close trio – something like an ageing, Jewish Three Musketeers. We are having great fun.

What do you hope audiences take away from What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank?

Hope itself is my answer. I’d like the audience to laugh and feel moved by the piece, and to walk out the theatre doors believing that even in these remarkably polarized times, it is possible to really hear people with whom you have deep differences and to make some kind of human connection despite them

How would you describe What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank in one word?

Soulful.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank runs from 4 October to 23 November at the Marylebone Theatre. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Photo Credit: Manfred Baumann