Hedwig and the Angry Inch

On a balmy night in Adelaide, the opening night audience was abuzz with excitement. I, like many others, had heard the hype about this wild musical but make no mistake this is musical theatre with a rock concert atmosphere. The crowd is very vocal and encouraged to be. It is a celebration of differences that culminate in acceptance, unity, and love.

The old Queen’s Theatre is a perfect venue to stage this production. It has an old, underground warehouse vibe, which paired with our downtrodden protagonist felt apt. Lighting design by Geoff Cobham felt mysterious and sexy, with a follow-spot that never missed the mark. Shadow-play was used well, adding dimension to staging that was primarily kept to a round stage draped with an opulent ruffled curtain and a curved staircase.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch started development in the mid-nineties, a co-production by writer and performer John Cameron Mitchell, with music and lyrics by Stephen Trask. It progressed to Off-Broadway in 1998, a film adaptation in 2001 and a Broadway staging in 2014. It has been performed around the world many times and not surprisingly. With its universal themes, it is deeply moving.

Co-directors Shane Anthony and Dino Dimitriades have done an outstanding job in understanding the nuances of Hedwig, an immigrant to America who after nursing many heartbreaks and life-changing traumas is touring with her band “The Angry Inch.” Unfortunately, one of these former lovers stole not only her heart, but a catalogue of songs, which is referenced throughout the production with stunning creativity.

The complex and exhausting role of Hedwig is beautifully portrayed by Seann Miley Moore. Draped in a denim design, by Nicol and Ford – they have your attention immediately with their soaring vocals and mischievous banter. Plenty of sexual innuendo masks a deeper longing for connection. Miley Moore bares their soul and takes you on a journey that is intoxicating. Hedwig’s frustration at her past trauma and perceived lack of musical success, is felt mostly by her back-up singer/husband, Yitzhak brought to life by Adam Noviello. A Jewish former drag queen with talents of her own, she has promised to fade into the background, so that Hedwig may shine. This congers up resentment, which is heartbreakingly portrayed by Noviello throughout the evening. Raw vocals exposed heart-rending harmonies on many songs and showed the range of talent present by all the cast.

The band “The Angry Inch” were an integral part of this production. Consisting of musical director on keyboards and accordion Victoria Falconer, Glenn Moorhouse on guitars, Felicity Freeman on Bass and Jarrad Payne on Drums. Their collective energy and talent were powerhouse.

The final musical number “Midnight Radio” is joyous. Hedwig encourages the audience to their feet and to lift their hands, she sings to those who have ever felt unloved or misunderstood. A roar could be heard as Yitzhak appeared in a dress, to take their spot centre stage with Hedwig. It was a magical finale and left the audience dancing out of the venue.

Kerry Cooper

Photographer: Shane Reid