In November 1932, shortly before Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany, Winston Churchill was in Munich doing some research for a biography he was writing.

An intermediary had arranged for the two men to meet over dinner at a hotel in the city, as Churchill was curious to meet the notorious politician.

Hitler, however, did not turn up, uninterested in meeting the famed author, journalist and politician. Churchill later wrote in his memoirs that Hitler had ‘lost his only chance of meeting me’.

Who knows what might have happened had the two future leaders met in that hotel?

A new play, that is coming to artsdepot in North Finchley, takes as its basis the idea of a meeting between the two men – but in the afterlife.

Churchill, written by Tony Tortora and performed by New End Theatre Beyond, takes place when Winston Churchill has just died and gone to a place in the afterlife, which a servant there describes to him as a ‘waystation en route to an unknown final destination’. Soon afterwards, he is suddenly thrust together with Hitler in a space neither can leave. The play takes the form of their conversation – will they go any way towards recognising the other’s point of view?

“When I got the script, it was so interesting that these two might have this discussion,“ says producer Brian Daniels, who was artistic director of the New End Theatre in Hampstead, which closed in 2011, and who continues its work with the newly-formed New End Theatre Beyond.

“They’re in this situation where neither has anything to lose.

“It’s interesting because we have a heavy Jewish audience in north London and, although we don’t agree with it, Hitler did have a point of view. I wouldn’t say you come away with more sympathy for him, perhaps a little more understanding of his mindset.“

During the course of the play, we learn that Hitler had a Jewish cook, who he looked after and ensured didn’t have the same fate as the other six million Jews who perished during the war.

The two men find some common ground in their love of art – Churchill was quite a successful artist and Hitler an aspiring one.

“It’s art that brings them to a level outside of politics where they can respond to each other just as ordinary people,“ explains Brian, who is based in Hendon and Leeds.

“There comes a moment where they understand each other – then they’re sent their separate ways. You’ll have to guess where Hitler goes!“

  • Churchill is at artsdepot, Tally Ho Corner, Nether Street, North Finchley from Tuesday, July 23 to Saturday, July 27 at 7.30pm, with a 4pm performance on Thursday, July 25. Details: 020 8369 5454, artsdepot.co.uk