This November
I had the pleasure of seeing a performance of Spring Awakening at the Institute of the Arts Barcelona in
Sitges.
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| The IAB photo by Ignasi Monserrat |
It was the
first time I had gone to the school since I wrote a piece for the 3rd
issue of the SQ, with the
theme—“Made in Sitges”.
(Available on issuu.com/cheycrump)
On the
evening, I had no idea what I was going to see. I didn't even know if it was a
play, dance or concert but I was happy to go along and see the site function as
an educational place for young people.
As I
entered the building the halls were buzzing with excitement. The
auditorium—almost filled to capacity. And I thought—a performance of dance, when I saw the minimalist set
design… the lights dimmed and the night really began…
Spring Awakening is a musical, first staged on Broadway
back in 2006, based on the German play of the same name, Spring
Awakening (1891) by Frank Wedekind. Set in a late-19th century provincial
Germany town, the musical tells the story of pubescent teenagers
discovering and exploring their sexuality.
According
to the IAB, “when singing, however, the boys and girls assume the manner of
contemporary teens. The lights shift with the songs, and we enter the private
and timeless world of the character singing. That character may be joined in
his or her solitary song by other voices that fill out the chorus of longing”.
The staging
was especially good as the entire space was utilized, while the technical crew
effectively executed the tough task of supporting the kinetic cast with
lighting and audio. Although at times the voices of the leads got a little lost
in the background of group musical scenes, nevertheless, the vocals kept us in the
intimate realm of the ripening characters.
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| The IAB Campus |
Of note in
the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic cast would be the lead actors: Nil Roig who
made Melchior Gabor soar, the three
actresses who portrayed the naïve Wendla
Bergmann—Hannah Perry, Robertina Bonano and Amandla Mvitsho; Thomas McHugh who
played the tortured Moritz Stiefel
and his co-horts, Hanschen Rilow and Ernst Robel, who were festively brought
to life by Marc Oller and Pau Pitarch respectively.
 |
| Nil Roig as Melchior Gabor |
Albeit not
a professional production, the evenings’ show stayed true to the material as it
had not been censored. This revival production by the IAB presents the story with some of the principle characters seamlessly
played by different actresses sharing roles (wearing the same costume), it
pulls the evening off with an infectious enthusiasm. The evening was more than
entertaining, the performances more than adequate, and even poignant as this
production was more age appropriate than the previous Broadway productions with
seasoned adult actors portraying teens. Here, there was no need to make as big
a stretch to suspend disbelief.
The IAB certainly serves Sitges well. The
caliber of students is impressive and the future shines with brilliant promise for
them as well as for this establishment of talent and creativity.
“Spring Awakening”
Book and
lyrics by Steven Sater. Music by Duncan Sheik.
With:
(In order of
appearance on the evening of November 21st, 2015)
Hannah
Perry, Iona Blue, Courtney Griffiths, Raquel Pujadas, Felicity Dorey, Fania
Folaji, Tom Mullens, Nil Roig, Thomas McHugh, Marc Oller, Pau Pitarch, Shantie
Langer, Kay Hernandez, Robertina Bonano, Zoe Buccolini, Saskia von Mendel,
Amandla Mvitsho
The Ensemble:
Jess
Roberts, Gráinne Kelly, Bláthnaid Sheppard, Cristina Diaz Gallego, Estefania
del Pino Fuentes, Shanara Edwards, Georgia Harwood, Julia Roch Sarmiento.
Director and Musical director-Nikki Laurence
Assistant Musical Director-Joe Louis Robinson
Lighting Operator-Toni Vidal
Production Manager-Emma Groves-Raines
Stage Manager-Stergiana Tzegka
Lighting Technician-Platon Vasatis and Ieva Ievina
Band:
Piano-Rocio
Sevares
Harmonium-Nikki
Laurence
Bass-Jordi
Mestres
Guitar-Joan
Casellas
Drums-Pinyu
Martí
Violin-Ariadna
Torner
Viola- Joe
Louis Robinson
Cello-Carmen
Enjamio
The
Institute of the Arts Barcelona
Founded in
Sitges, the Institute of the Arts
Barcelona is a dynamic institute uniquely positioned to offer international
performing arts higher education in Europe.
Carrer
Ramon de Dalmases, 18
08870
Sitges, Spain
Tel: +34
938 949 713
Email:
info@iabarcelona.es
www.iabarcelona.com
