Ellie Chats to Daniel Krikler who is currently starring in The Book Thief at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre .
Firstly, how are you feeling ahead of opening?
I’m nervous for sure, but that’s outweighed by my excitement. Opening is just the starting point, the first time we all learn what the show is in front of an audience. Then the hard work starts – tweaking, refining, doing better. But that’s the best bit too.
The Book Thief is such an iconic piece, but for anyone who hasn’t read the novel, can you tell us a little about the story?
The Book Thief is set in early 1940s Germany at the height of the Second World War and tells the story of Liesel, an orphaned girl who gets adopted by an unlikely couple in a small German town. The family end up hiding a Jewish boxer in their basement. That’s the role I play, Max Vandenberg. It’s really a story about small acts of kindness in a dark and scary world.
You played the role of Max Vandenburg in The Book Thief’s world premiere production in Bolton in 2022 – do you feel more confident having done the show previously?
That’s a good question. I should do, shouldn’t I? I certainly know Max better. And I feel I can push him more in opposing directions – if that makes any sense. But there’s probably a bit more fear, a bit more pressure. Do you know, I think if I felt really confident with him, then I probably shouldn’t be playing him.
How have you found working with this cast?
There are a few of my Bolton mates in the cast, and that has been a real anchor point for me in revisiting the show. At the same time, the new cast and members of the creative team have brought objectivity – fresh insight that you can only have when you’re new to a piece, so that’s something I’ve relished. The children are the heart of the show and they’re brilliant, far more professional than me. But you mustn’t hold that against them.
Why would you say this piece is so important for modern audiences?
Anyone alive now who survived the holocaust was a child when it happened. My grandma is in her nineties and she was 8-11 when she escaped from Germany. Soon, all we’ll have are second hand accounts, memories of memories. So now more than ever we must tell their stories, so that horrors on that magnitude can never happen again.
But The Book Thief is bigger than that. It’s about how we have a choice to teach our children to hate or to teach our children to be kind. We all have prejudices, but we weren’t born with them. Our co-writer, Jodi Picoult, is having her books banned across many states in America right now for all sorts of absurd reasons. It’s not all in the past, and we can’t take our liberties for granted.
You’ve been in some incredible productions, including Jersey Boys and The Life of Bees. What would you say has been a particular career highlight so far?
Thank you! I’ve loved all my jobs for many different reasons. This is definitely a highlight. Playing a great role in a beautiful new show doesn’t come around often, so I’m really embracing it. Otherwise, anything new is always incredibly exciting to be a part of. Twice I’ve performed a show in the city its set in, and there’s something special about that – Fighting Irish in Coventry at The Belgrade, and Pink Mist, a play about three lads from Bristol who go to fight in Afghanistan. Performing that in Bristol to a theatre full of Bristolians was very special, if a little terrifying.
Are there any moments from this show that you find particularly challenging?
My song is called the Challenger! And yes, singing and dancing at the same time is always a challenge. Max has to go through some pretty horrible things. Sometimes I feel too close to that if I’m honest, especially with my family history, and that can be a bit upsetting.
Things in live theatre don’t always go to plan – do you have any funny or memorable onstage mishaps from past productions you could share with us?
How about forgetting the entire final monologue of a play? The one where you tell the audience exactly what it’s about, so it basically made no sense at all? Most of mine are about forgetting lines, but I love it. I always say it’s not if you go wrong, it’s when, and then you deal with it. The most I’ve ever laughed, and I’m not going to name names, but someone was making their west end debut on a show I did, and they walked forward and fell over a bench they didn’t see. And the audience went “ooooh”. Then five minutes later, the same person walked backwards and fell over the same bench. We all lost it, including the audience.
Do you have any tips for maintaining energy for an eight show week?
A drink after the show to unwind and debrief. Then lots of sleep, lots of water, lots of coffee. And lots of dog walks.
Do you have any dream roles or shows you’d like to be a part of in the future?
An infinite number of shows are yet to be written, and I want to do them all. Sorry, that was a half joke. But no, I don’t have any dream roles. I just want to keep getting creative with talented, creative people until I’m an old, old man.
Do you have any advice for young people wanting to start a career in the theatre industry?
Do it. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. But it’s also tough, full of rejection, and there’s not much money. And I’ve been very lucky. So do it with open eyes.
Finally, why should audiences buy tickets to The Book Thief?
It’s a one of a kind, beautiful, joyous, heart-breaking show. I may be biased, but I can promise you won’t regret it.
The Book Thief opens at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre on 11th September before heading to Leicester Curve on 29th September. Find out more here!
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