Characters

Several characters (including the Beckman family) and events in the script are based on real people and events described in David Galler’s memoir, but their portrayal in the play, their actions and conversation, is entirely fictional.

Rafal Beckham is a Pakeha intensive care specialist doctor at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland and the Principal Medical Advisor to the Minister of Health. He is a very skilled doctor who is good at making tough decisions. Rafal’s family is Jewish, his parents emigrated to New Zealand from Poland after WW2. He relaxes from the stress of his job by swimming.

Leon, a Polish Jewish immigrant, settled in Wellington with his wife Roza. Raf is one of their two sons. Leon worked hard for many years to get compensation from the German Government for Roza’s suffering during the Holocaust. In the play he acts as Rafal’s conscience.

As a child Roza survived imprisonment in Auschwitz. Her father was murdered by the Gestapo in front of her, and her mother died in the camp. Though her friends encourage her to return to the Synagogue, Roza has no faith in God. Roza is ill with oesophageal cancer and wants Raf to spend as much time with her as he can.

Carol

A head nurse in the Emergency Department at Middlemore Hospital and Rafal’s key colleague. Carol is a practical confident wāhine Maori. She is good at keeping everyone in line and supportive of the staff.

Ana

A passionate young Samoan Emergency Department nurse.

Edie

A Chinese-New Zealander Emergency Department doctor at Middlemore. She believes in people taking personal responsibility for their health.

Dev

A South Asian resident doctor at Middlemore. Dev is struggling with the pressures of the work.

Minister of Health

Practical and businessminded, a seasoned politician with an eye firmly on being re-elected.

Judith and Simon Nagel

Longstanding close friends of Roza and Leon.

Chris

A patient. Chris is hit by a truck on an evening cycle ride and is close to death when he arrives at Middlemore.

Stephanie Chris’ wife. With Chris hospitalised, her family has lost its anchor.

Seleni

A patient, Seleni is suffering from very severe cellulitis.

Tusi

Seleni’s mother who navigates the hospital system on her daughter’s behalf.

Tiara

A patient. Tiara’s flatmates call an ambulance to take her to Middlemore when they discover her having a seizure after a night out clubbing.

April

Tiara’s sister, determinedly optimistic that her sister will make a full recovery.

Sol

Tiara and April’s father, still grieving from the recent death of his wife.

Extension Activities

• How was it made evident in this production that Leon was Rafal's conscience?

• Describe a moment where a character was the focus in the performance. Think about and discuss the function of the character in that moment: Why that specific character was the focus in that moment, their position on stage and the effect of the focus being drawn to the character