One of the most tragic and poignant stories of the last century unfolds on a Kent stage this weekend under the guidance of the University of Kent’s T24 drama society.

The Diary of Anne Frank, written for the stage by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, is based on the book Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, and the production is entirely in the hands of enthusiastic students in T24, many of them studying drama or theatre studies at the university.

It’s 1942, and Nazi occupied the Netherlands Jews are being forced to live under severe restrictions. The Franks along with another Jewish family, the Van Daans go into hiding. Anne Frank, a 13-year-old aspiring writer, keeps a diary of their time in the annex. This is her story.

Being staged at Canterbury's Gulbenkian Theatre, the play is a chance to experience one of the most unique stories of war, seen through the diary of a young girl hidden in an attic overlooking an Amsterdam canal.

It is directed by Tabitha Porter, 21, who is studying English and drama at the University of Kent and Rose Trustman, 19, studying drama and theatre studies, also at the University of Kent.

Tabitha said: “2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. As such we felt that staging the Diary of Anne Frank was an interesting and engaging way of remembering and celebrating the stories of those who sadly lost their lives.

“With a fantastic cast and wonderful production team, we aim to create as truthful a representation as possible as to what life was like for those in hiding during the Nazi occupation.

"We aim to make you laugh, cry and maybe even learn a little something.”

Rose added: “We hope in staging The Diary of Anne Frank we can do it the justice it deserves and make people pause for a moment and truly take in one girl's struggle through history’s darkest hour.”

The play is being staged on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 students, £6 concessions and £10.

Visit www.thegulbenkian.co.uk or call 01227 769075.