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Part 1
A fresh take on Frank Wedekind鈥檚 shocking and provocative classic about teenagers discovering sex and identity in a repressive society. By Theo Toksvig-Stewart.
A fresh take on Frank Wedekind鈥檚 shocking and provocative classic about teenagers discovering sex and identity in a repressive society. By Theo Toksvig-Stewart.
Teenagers Wendla, Melchoir, and Moritz are taking their first steps into adulthood. But in a world where everyone is haunted by the battle between shame and pleasure, openness feels impossible.
How can their parents offer help when conversations around sex, desire and relationships are so taboo? Lost, hungry for the truth, our teenagers have only each other for guidance. But knowledge can only take them so far. Their choices will have tragic repercussions.
In Part One, Moritz is disturbed by dreams, and worried about falling behind at school. Wendla is eager for her life to start, and burning with questions. She meets Melchior, who seems to offer some answers.
This drama includes strong sexual content.
CAST
MELCHIOR ..... Jake Kenny-Byrne
WENDLA ..... Shreya Lallu
MORITZ ..... David Angland
ILSE ..... Madeleine Gray
HANSCHEN ..... Patrick Dineen
ERNST ..... Aaron Gelkoff
FANNY ..... Lisa McGrillis
GABOR ..... Sam James
BERGMANN ..... Jasmine Hyde
GROUNDSKEEPER/KAHLBAUCH/KNOCHENBRUCH ..... John Bowler
Spring Awakening is a new version by Theo Toksvig-Stewart of a play by Frank Wedekind
Directed by Anne Isger
Sound by Keith Graham and Mike Etherden
Production co-ordination by Gaelan Davis-Connolly
German playwright Frank Wedekind鈥檚 original play Spring Awakening was written in 1891. Critical of the sexually oppressive culture of the time, it offers an unflinching portrayal of topics including sexuality and suicide, and has frequently been the subject of censorship. Theo Toksvig-Stewart is an award-winning writer for stage, screen and audio. He is known for nuanced and humane narratives that tackle contemporary questions. His play Endless Second dealt with consent in the context of a relationship (described as 鈥淭he best, most thought-provoking show at this year鈥檚 Fringe.鈥) His recent Radio 4 drama The Great Delay, about the toxic legacy of climate denial, starred Luke Treadaway, Olivia Williams and Rhashan Stone.
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