Spring Has Sprung

Dealing with a plethora of contentious issues including homosexuality, abortion and suicide, the second year kids of WAAPA are pretty excited to bring the Tony award-winning musical Spring Awakening to WA for the first time. The musical, an adaption of a play written in 1891 by German playwright Frank Wedekind, has come a long way since its original production. When it was first performed in 1906 it was slandered, censored and banned due to its subject matter.

“It was controversial then, but I don't think the issues haven't become any less relevant, they're still taboo areas in our society,” says director Crispin Taylor. Fortunately, the youth of today can't get enough of Spring Awakening. This musical adaption combines the text with rock music. “It has a very grungy, very young, contemporary feel to it,” relays Taylor. “I suppose what I would call it is in-your-face theatre. It's not a comfortable ride.

“It deals with almost every terrible issue you can imagine; abortion, incest, rape, sexuality, suicide. It is very tragic but it also has lots of humour [to it],” says Taylor, emphasising that the show has been revolutionary in the way it has developed almost a cult youth following. “I think what is revolutionary about the show is that it's developed a huge young audience, a non-typical theatre audience, because the songs are like dropping into a garage band.”

With a cast of seventeen students performing in the intimate Roundhouse Theatre, the musical shifts between dramatic scenes and contemporary songs. “The show works in two worlds,” shares Taylor. “The scenes take place in 1891 and when you break away into song it really turns into a rock kind of feel. There's neon lights and the band is very present in the middle of the stage.”

The musical is about a group of young characters that live in a repressed society. “We now know that ignorance isn't bliss. Young people need to be educated about sex and sexuality,” says Taylor. “Overall, it helps young people and their parents understand or appreciate the need for more open, more forthright communication. That's the problem with many young people, the lack of communication; people not being available to talk in an open way, in a courageous way, I suppose. I'm piecing this as a very dire piece, but it's not! There's a lot of humour in it and there's hope at the end,” he chuckles.

WHAT: Spring Awakening

WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 13 to Saturday 20 October, The Roundhouse Theatre, Edith Cowan University