Controversial show Spring Awakening marks debut for Adelaide Uni’s music theatre degree
Teen pregnancy, backyard abortion, child abuse and seriously bad parenting – Adelaide Uni has made a bold choice for the first student show under its new music theatre degree.
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A musical based on a historic play so controversial it was often banned or censored is a bold first choice for Adelaide University’s new music theatre course.
Its leading lady says its themes are as relevant as they were more than a century ago.
Spring Awakening is based on German dramatist Frank Wedekind’s seminal play, written in the early 1890s.
It criticises the oppressive, conservative culture of the time and its often disastrous impact on youths, who aren’t even taught how babies are made.
Teen pregnancy, backyard abortion, homosexuality, child abuse, suicidal ideation and what parents should tell their kids are among the confronting issues portrayed in the musical version, through songs with titles like The Bitch of Living and Totally F … ed.
Amy Roff, 21, who stars in the lead role of naive, ill-fated teen Wendla, says taboos are “constantly being broken in this show”.
“It’s also about sexual awakening and has a lot of themes that are really relevant today, which is why I think it was important for us to do the show now,” she says.
After a long gestation, the original Broadway production of the musical opened in 2006 and starred Lea Michele, of Glee fame, as Wendla.
It claimed eight Tony awards in 2007, including the ‘big three’ of best musical, best book (libretto) and best original score.
Adelaide University head of music theatre George Torbay, said both the show and his cast of 33 students were “fresh, raw and free”.
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Ms Roff, from Armidale in NSW, moved to Adelaide to be among the Bachelor of Music Theatre’s first intake this year.
“I liked the idea of a brand new theatre course and being part of something completely original,” she said.
“I think it’s a great thing for South Australia and I’m really lucky to be part of it.”
The course already has three times as many applicants as places available for next year’s intake.
Spring Awakening is at the Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, from Thursday to Sunday.
Suitable for ages 16 and up. Tickets: adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au