Music by Duncan Sheik
Directed by Grant
Pegg and Kelly Roberts
Musical Director:
Matt Webster
Phoenix Players at
the ANU Arts Centre to 26 November
Reviewed by Len Power
11 November 2016
‘Spring Awakening’ won Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best
Musical Score in the 2006/2007 Broadway season. It’s based on the controversial 1891 play by
Franz Wedekind which was not performed until 1906. It has often been banned or censored since
then due to its controversial subject matter.
Set in 1891 in Germany, the musical follows the trials and
tribulations of a group of adolescents as they explore their emerging sexual feelings
in a repressive time. The musical is
quite fearless in its depiction of sexual matters and its rock-infused musical
score provides the link between that earlier time and today, showing that
adolescent issues around sexual emergence haven’t got easier over time.
This production by Phoenix Players is a triumph for everyone
concerned. The directors, Grant Pegg and
Kelly Roberts, have realized their vision with this work and have produced a
show that is dazzling, moving and memorable.
The ensemble of young actors all give strong performances
with very fine singing. Callum Bodman
and Kaitlin Nihill as the young lovers, Melchior and Wendla, are
heart-breakingly good and Pip Carroll as the doomed Moritz gives his role a
fierce and realistic intensity. Everyone
else has their moment to shine and does so very well. Kelda McManus and David Cannell play multiple
older people and both give excellent, uncompromising performances.
Musical direction by Matt Webster of this unusual music score is brilliant, bringing out all the complexities and subtlety of the music while making it all seem effortless. It’s not a score that makes heavy demands on an audience but you can sense that it’s not easy for singers and orchestra to perform.
The way this production flows onstage is thrilling and
imaginative. It’s exciting to watch the choreographed
movement of the actors as the show progresses.
Nothing is predictable and everything works.
This is one of the best shows I’ve seen this year. It’s an event not to be missed!
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Artcetera’ program from 9.00am on
Saturdays.