Spring Awakening

WAAPA Second Year Music Theatre students and Music students are finishing the year in style with this outdoor production of Spring Awakening. A vibrant, high energy production that has a rock concert vibe - this is still a very restricted production, with capped audiences and shortened season - which is being performed well after when students normally would have finished for the year.

Designed, built and crewed by Production and Design students, costume and set design are both by Valentina Authlet - giving a unity of design - her beautiful projected backdrop working nicely with her sepia toned costuming. Richard Timms’ lighting design works well within the outdoor setting and changing natural light, with Nick Kirkham's organic sound design supporting the production well. Credit must also to Stage Manager Jack Wilson and his team, for managing the challenges of an outdoor production and an unconventional space, seemingly seamlessly.

Visiting Artist, Music Director Joe Louis Robinson leads a five piece rock band, well suited to the rebellious feel of the show.

The three leading performers in this show have a lovely feel and win the hearts of the audience. Chloe Malek,is a beautifully germanic and innocent Wendla, with an amazing voice. Kyle Hall is a dynamic and captivating Melchior who really captures his character’s intelligence and depth. Gus Noakes is a loveable, and at times almost haunting Moritz, whose fate is deeply felt.

Emily Svarnias gives a very layered performance as Ilse, with Amber Scates lovely as poor abused Martha. Great work also from Anita Karabajakian as Thea and Zoe Crisp (great acrobatics) as Anna. The girls form a lovely ensemble within an ensemble - with some strong numbers.

The schoolboys are also strong - with a wonderful mix of comic moments and poignancy. Impressive performances from Samuel Allsop (Hanschen), Noah Goodsell (Ernst), Kyle Colburn (Georg) and James Macalpine (Otto).

Traditionally the adults in Spring Awakening are all played by just one man and one woman, This production splits these roles, with the remaining cast members playing at least one adult role, alternating between an ensemble of adults and an ensemble of students, and playing the reform school boys. This gives the production a bigger feel and intensifies the “threat” of the adults among other benefits. Great ensemble work and kudos for quickly establishing apparently fleshed out characters - Emma Haines, Juno Sertorio, Paige Fallu, Brittany Morton, Hannah Jones, Lachlan Obst, Thomas Lerk, Samuel Allsop and Jesse Simpson.

An explosion of a production to end a tough year. Well done to all involved.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Stephen Heath