Those English Girls

Historical | Bio-Drama
Part of The Resilience Series
By Michael London

2 F | Ages 37 & 39

90 mins without an intermission

Sisters Ida & Louise used Opera as a cover to help refugees escape Hitler’s Germany.

On a night in 1941, during the Blitz, in a Bermondsey area bomb-shelter in London, two sisters share their story of saving the lives of 29 refugees that were trying to escape Hitler’s Germany before the outbreak of World War II. Escaping their average work-a-day lives in Opera became their passion. But when their friends needed help, Opera became their cover to help an escape from evil.

THOSE ENGLISH GIRLS is the third play in The Resilience Series.

Read a Sample Inquire About a Production

Cast List

IDA COOK | Female, age 37

Spinster, writer, Standard London Accent

LOUISE COOK | Female, age 39

Spinster, clerical worker, Standard London Accent

Setting

LONDON | 1941

The setting is one night in 1941 in a bomb shelter in London during the Blitz. We see what looks like a personal campsite in the middle of an empty warehouse.

STAGING NOTES:

There is a folding cot with a colorful patchwork quilt thrown on it and a couple of old wooden side chairs with a small table at the bedside.
A spindly coat/hat rack sits to the side, with a trunk or two, and some boxes etc., which are piled about.
Another folding cot is sitting on the floor folded up beside the open cot.
A bag with another quilt inside sets nearby.

Behind the Story

ARTISTIC COMMISSION
This new play is the result of a special commission by the Dayton Holocaust Resource Center that was funded by a generous Grant from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, through Culture Works, and with the support and assistance of the Human Race Theatre Company.

WHY THIS STORY?
Those whose courage saved lives is often overlooked and forgotten. Ida and Louise Cook bravely stepped forward to use a love of Opera to create a cover for their efforts to rescue friends from the devastation of the Holocaust. We can learn from their story.

This play is the third in The Resilience Series, which shares stories of survival, rescue and resilience; stories that are always important to know.

Media

Poster of a teenager walking down a rural road

Actor Name | Jewish Community Center | Oct 2025
Photo credit: Photographer Name

Show preview | Jewish Community Center | Oct. 2025
Video credit: Videographer name

Testimonials

“Anschel is an incredibly powerful play that provides accessible and engaging Holocaust education for audiences as young as 6th grade. At the JCC of Greater Columbus we welcomed over 230 attendees, of which 60 were students. There are very few Holocaust education programs that have such broad appeal to audiences of different ages. The story itself is inspiring and the performance captivated everyone in our theater for the entire time. I would highly recommend bringing Anschel to your community.”

— Ronnie Conn (Jewish Community Center, Columbus, OH)

“What an amazing and rewarding experience to participate in Anschel, last night in Springfield. 90 minutes of attention, concentration and emotion. It was very personal and the setting felt very right. The young actor was electrifying – and this must be hard duty as the story is as hard to watch as it is compelling. No looking away.”

— Audience Member (Springfield, OH)

“Touching, moving, and beautifully told story.”

— Audience Member (Columbus, OH)

“It was a very moving and spiritual experience!”

— Audience Member (Dayton, OH)

Performance History

DATES	TYPE	VENUE	LOCATION
Jun 15, 2026	Staged Reading	The Human Race Theatre Company	Dayton, OH
Jun 25, 2026	Staged Reading	The Wright Library	Oakwood, OH
Jul 1, 2026	Staged Reading	The Jewish Community Center	Centerville, OH