Drew Anthony Creative will present Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett’s award-winning play, The Diary of Anne Frank, at Melbourne’s historic Athenaeum Theatre from 4 March, before playing Sydney’s State Theatre from 25 March 2026.
With previous productions taking out a Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award this production comes directly from its own critically acclaimed sell out season at The Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth.
The award-winning production saw its Perth production debut to critical acclaim winning BroadwayWorld Awards for Best Performer In A Play (Chloe-Jean Vincent), Best Direction Of A Play (Drew Anthony), Best Play and Best Supporting Performer In A Play (Holly Easterbrook).
Chloe-Jean Vincent is returning to the pivotal role of Anne Frank, after her hugely successful debut in Perth. Joining Vincent is an exceptionally talented cast of performers including Phil Bedworth as Otto Frank, Holly Easterbrook as Edith Frank, Matt Dyktynski as Putti Van Daan, Asha Cornelia Clueer as Petronella Van Daan, Nathan Hampson as Peter Van Daan, Jamie Jewell as Jan Dussell, Grace Tolich as Miep Gies, Kingsley Judd as Mr Kraler, and Emma Smith as Margot Frank.
“Playing Anne Frank is more than a role. It is an extraordinary privilege,” says Chloe Jean Vincent. “To honour her, to be her voice, to embody her not as a distant symbol, but as the girl she was: bright, vibrant, thoughtful, rebellious, mercurial.”
“She didn’t just define the darkness, she actively defied it by continuing to dream, to question, to fill each page of her diary with observations about identity, love, humanity, and the future she hoped to see.”
The Diary of Anne Frank allows audiences to step into one of the 20th century’s most inspiring true stories, as it masterfully brings to life the play written in 1955 that Anne’s father, Otto Frank, helped to develop along with playwrights Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett.
The story is that of 13-year-old Anne Frank – a young Jewish girl hiding with her family for two years in occupied Amsterdam during World War II. Through Anne’s extraordinary diary, audiences are given an intimate view into the challenges, fears, and small triumphs of their life in hiding.
Anne’s teenage diary has made her one of the most powerful voices in literature, as a young girl whose hope, humour, and unwavering belief in the goodness of humanity continue to inspire millions even today.
The Diary of Anne Frank
Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 4 – 21 March 2026
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney
Season: 25 March – 2 April 2026
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.drewanthonycreative.com.au for details.
Image: The Diary of Anne Frank – courtesy of Drew Anthony Creative