THEY are the two young stars of the future who have been handed a tremendous amount of responsibility. On their shoulders effectively rests the success of the world premiere of the best selling novel The Book Thief currently being staged at Bolton Octagon.
It would be a major task for much more experienced actors but Bea Glancy and Niamh Palmer don’t seemed phased in the slightest.
The pair are alternating in the role of Liesel, the Book Thief of the title in the production which is set in Nazi Germany and which has striking parallels to events in the world today.
Interviewed together Bea from Whitefield and Niamh from Oldham are an engaging double act.
Bea, 15, is the more experienced having appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on a UK tour and also in two festive productions at the Octagon. On TV she has appeared in productions on CBBC and even had a small role in Game of Thrones.
For Niamh, 12, The Book Thief is her first professional role although she has been involved in a number of productions with the Oldham Theatre Workshop.
“I had read the book before,” said Bea. “It’s the only book that’s made me cry, it’s so good. And now we’re getting to do it on stage - that’s crazy.”
“I think maybe I’ve read half of it,” said Niamh. “but I didn’t finish it because it was summer and I was on my holidays.
“I’ll be in Year Eight at school this year and we’ll be studying the book in English. That’ll be a bit weird studying the book while I’m in the production. I’d better do well on that test but I’m not giving away any spoilers. to my classmates.”
Compelling, heart rending and simple beautiful - read the full review of The Book Thief
The character of Liesel is at the centre of the story which inevitably means the two young stars have to take in an awful lot.
“When scenes make sense and are so well written, that really helps you to remember the lines,” said Bea. “You don’t need to think about what you are saying because it comes so naturally.”
The pair agree that it has really helped having each other in rehearsals.
“We definitely bounce off each other and help each other out,” said Bea.
“In rehearsal I’m always asking Bea what’s coming next?” laughed Niamh.
The Book Thief has been adapted for the stage by Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald and features music by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson.
“The music is amazing in this show,” said Niamh. “When I was practicing in my bedroom I had so many different reactions to the different songs.”
Bea added: “It’s been really fun learning the songs by ourselves with Matthew Malone at the piano and then when the ensemble comes in it just fills all the sound out and it genuinely feels amazing, it makes the song feel whole.
“When you are singing you can let the emotion take over, it is so immersing.”
For Bea, who is Jewish, The Book Thief has a particular poignancy.
“It’s a beautifully done story so there are no moments where it’s a bit like ‘ooh that was a bit raw’. It’s all done very, very well, “ she said. “It is emotional but you’ll come out of the theatre blown away.
“And probably crying but in a good way,” added Niamh.
Having two Liesels in a brand new show has given the two young actors a lot of freedom in developing their characters alongside the Octagon’s artistic director Lotte Wakeham who is directing The Book Thief.
“I think they wanted natural kids in the role,” said Niamh,”and they’ve allowed our different personalities to come through.
“I think you will see two quite different Liesels depending on which of us is onstage that night. Our Liesels are quite similar but at same time quite different if that makes sense. It’s cool - it means you should really come and see the show at least twice and see us both.”
Bea said: “Liesel had so much thrown at her; she’s had a hard life and yet is always fighting through whatever happens. She always holds her ground. She has a huge character development during the show, probably more than anyone else.
“We’ve been given quite a bit of control over how we portray Liesel which is amazing.”
You suspect that this delightful pair don’t fully appreciate the magnitude of the job in hand nor of the brilliant way they have both pulled it off. The reviews for The Book Thief have been unanimous in declaring the show an absolute hit with the performances of the two Liesels being singled out for particular praise.
“Neither of us had been inside the new-look Octagon before,” said Bea. “I did two Christmas shows but the theatre was being renovated at the time so they were done elsewhere.
“I’d never been to the Octagon before,” said Niamh. “It’s so big when you go inside, much bigger than I thought it would be.”
Both young stars appreciate the relevance that The Book Thief has today.
“It’s got a simple message of love over hate,” said Bea, “which is so important.”
The Book Thief, Bolton Octagon until Saturday, October 15. details from www.octagontheatre.co.uk
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