Prestwich: Podcast examining racist crimes coming to town

And although drama “The List” - which depicts a Nazi hunter’s quest for justice - is steeped in history, it also debates highly relevant topics for today including prejudice, justice, vengeance and fear.

The play has been penned by Liverpool writer Paul Daley whose forte is usually comedy.

His tale “The Bitters” featuring three football fans hiding in a cellar played to packed houses recently.

Although “The List” is very different subject matter, it crackles with sparkling dialogue between hunter Armand and ageing war criminal Clement.

The former is played by erstwhile Prestwich resident Pete Gibson whose parents lived in Jerusalem in the 1990s at a time of both turmoil and hope.

Pete Gibson (Image: Supplied)

He said: “Echoes of what is one of the biggest crimes in history are all around you in the Holy Land, including the hugely moving Holocaust Museum at Yad Vashem.

"I was actually there on a couple of Holocaust Memorial Days too, and the sense of loss, but also respect, was palpable.

"It obviously means a lot to bring The List to the heart of the North Manchester Jewish community, but it also asks questions of everyone, particularly about why people turn to hateful ideologies.”

Clement is played by Liverpool actor Matthew Walsh, who is no stranger to challenging war pieces.

He previously appeared in the film “Enemy of the Heart”, which follows the life of an Anglo-Italian family whose life is thrown into turmoil with the rise of Mussolini.

Matthew Walsh (Image: Supplied)

Research reveals that just one per cent of Nazi war criminals were brought to justice following the Second World War and at one point in the 1970s, three quarters of senior civil service posts in West Germany were filled by former Nazis.

Paul said: “It is reported that senior scientists from the Third Reich were actively recruited to help the super powers in the Cold War.

“Others carved out hugely successful careers for themselves in business.

"Of the few who were brought to justice many were frail old men such as Clement and there were those who questioned the purpose of bringing them to trial.

"And yet, what do we learn if we don’t highlight and bring to justice those who commit monstrous acts – even if it was many years ago?”

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The List will be coming to Prestwich Library on Thursday, March 28 (Image: Supplied)

The List will tour libraries across the country over the next few months and Pete believes they are exactly the right location for the play.

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He said: “There is a saying made famous by the band the Manic Street Preachers – 'Libraries gave us Power'. 

"We should also remember that one of Hitler’s first acts was to burn books!

"I believe such a location will bring us a thinking audience who is ready to learn, discuss and debate.

"More than anything else, they are a place of community and I hope as many people as possible, from as many backgrounds as possible come and see The List."

There are two showings of The List at Prestwich Library at The Longfield Centre, Prestwich on Thursday March 28, at 1pm and 3pm. Entry is free of charge.

The library performances will be preceded by a private showing of the play at The King David High School in Manchester.