A new play exploring themes of memory, ownership, and technology in the context of Holocaust survivor narratives opened this week at the Southwark Playhouse in London. Titled *Memoriam*, the drama was written by British-Israeli playwright Noga Flaishon and imagines a near future in which the personal memories of Holocaust survivors are transformed into immersive virtual reality experiences for commercial and educational use.
The play centers on Rivka, the last living Holocaust survivor, and a company employee who faces ethical dilemmas regarding the ownership and use of Rivka’s recorded memories. Flaishon conceived the project during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired in part by concerns about the increasing misuse of Holocaust imagery and the viral spread of misinformation. The dramatization probes the complex questions of who ultimately has the right to “own” or inherit a family’s stories, especially when technology commercializes deeply personal histories.
Lead actor Beverley Klein, who portrays Rivka, said the play is as much a family story about how memories are passed down and transformed as it is a reflection on emerging technologies. Klein, nominated for an Olivier Award in 2025 for her role in *Fiddler on the Roof*, noted that while the subject matter involves a dark chapter of history, the play balances this with humor and warmth. “I’m playing somebody who has been through a very, very dark experience but has chosen to live her life much more lightly,” she said. The tone aims to respect survivors’ experiences without overwhelming audiences with tragedy.
The narrative also reflects real-life challenges surrounding Holocaust archives and oral histories. In the course of her research, Flaishon was struck by the tangled web of copyright and institutional control surrounding recorded survivor testimonies. Many of these interviews reside in public archives such as the Spielberg archives or the Association of Jewish Refugees, with varying permissions and legal ownership. Flaishon’s interest lies in what happens when these intimate histories intersect with commercial interests and evolving technologies such as virtual reality.
The play has received critical recognition, including nominations for the Papatango New Writing Prize and the Jewish Playwriting Award. Flaishon and the production team have taken steps to address rising Holocaust misinformation, especially among younger audiences. A significant number of tickets for each performance are offered at a reduced price to under-25s as part of their initiative to engage and educate that demographic.
*Memoriam* will be staged at Southwark Playhouse through November 21. The production invites reflection on how family legacies are preserved, who controls historical memory in the digital age, and how emerging technologies reshape the ethics of storytelling.