Day 5 - 256 -- War Story

A Zeigfeld Folly, nurse, socialite, member of Dutch resistance, POW, refugee -- just a few words that describe one woman -- Mona Parsons. This week I attended a play, The Bitterest Time: the war story of Mona Parsons, written to explore the amazing life of this Nova Scotian woman, the only known Canadian female civilian imprisoned by the Nazis in world War II. While living in New York City she danced with the Follies and became a nurse working in the city. There she met a Dutch millionaire (remember this was in 1930s). The play occurs while Mona is in prison, telling the story through memories or flashbacks -- her interrogation by the Gestapo, sentencing to death by firing squad handed down by a Nazi tribunal, her gutsy appeal that commuted the sentence to life with hard labour as well as happier memories with her husband. They were both imprisoned for aiding Allied soldiers and airman to escape occupied Holland. Taken from one prison to another to work as slave labour, much of the play takes place at Vechta and includes her cell mate Wendelien. This character was played by two women -- one in the past and one in the present who agrees to speak about Mona to an unseen researcher. Nazi officers often spoke German, which left me feeling disoriented as I know little of that language. This technique and that of shouting officers and the yelling and screaming of civilians during bombing raids brought fear. While not the complete picture of the horrors of the prison camps, it did more than scratch the surface for audience members. The play ends with the escape of Mona and Wendy during an Allied bombing of Vechta. For weeks afterwards, they wandered barefoot through Germany headed for Holland. Mona played the role of her life (and for her life) as a mute, shell-shocked aunt to Wendy. They traded work for food and shelter with Nazi and German peasant homes. During another bombing raid, the two were separated. Mona found her way to an Allied encampment -- interestingly the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. After the war, she and her husband parted ways --understandable after living through the prison camps -- and she moved home to the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia.

I can't say I enjoyed the play --  that just seems to be the wrong word. I would recommend it to anyone. The playwrights and creative team produced a piece that brings to mind many thoughts. Admiration for someone imprisoned who found solace and maintained sanity -- as well as resistance - through reciting poetry, singing, dancing, and recalling recipes. The latter is particularly poignant when being starved in a Nazi prison and struggling for food as a refugee. It also left viewers with a deeper understanding of the emotional toll involved in war, poverty and oppression leading to fear and desperation. When a production can leave so many thoughts to ponder, it truly is successful.

The song shared today is one that came to my mind as I pondered the use of flashbacks in the play. While there were many amazing songs played during intermission and included in part during the play, this one encompassed more of what I was left with after viewing. I enjoy this version of the big band song with a voice and singer in the early part of a lengthy career. Enjoy!

Sentimental Journey --   Doris Day with Les Brown and his Orchestra