Reader Reviews
Spring Awakening (Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Outer London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Only 2 stars as I felt what was on show was rubbish - sort of university drama department effort but, and it's a big but, it does have potential. There was too much of a Andy Nyman's irritating professor Goodman to start with and too few scary bits. However, it did make me think why someone else hasn't tried this idea before, The Woman In Black excepted. With a major rewrite, lots more scary bits, then I would not be surprised if a run in the West End would not be out of the question. Oh, and why the Jewish thing? That should be dropped for starters. But apart from that I wish them all good luck their original piece of theatre. - rds | 08 Apr 10 |
| During the interval I couldn't quite decide what I thought about this new and original show. On one hand the book was excellent as was the acting - especially from the oustanding Bernard and Wakefield who have huge futures ahead of them. On the other hand I felt that only one or two of the musical numbers worked, and many seemed to make the same point (that the characters feel trapped, anger and teen angst) and the number of indi-rock numbers sat uncomofortably within the context of the show. Fortunatly the second half build on the positives and the show became ever-so-slightly more of a traditional musical (where the music and lyrics move the drama forward), and the style of music became more varied), and it so worked. The scene of the funeral in particular, I thought outstanding, as was the end. That its different to the norm, and is based on a book rather than back catalogue of revival, is refreshing. The cast are energetic and hugely talented, (I did struggle to emotionally engage with the Moritz character though). Comparisons with Rent are obvious but unfair - Spring Awakening is far far better. It's certainly worth a look - my only slight regret is not listening to any of the musical material beforehand. I intend to give it a look in six months time, however whether it can stick around in the West End long enough may be another matter. - Richard | 02 Mar 09 |
| I see from the site that Spring Awakening is to transfer to the Novello, which is good news as it should find a similar audience to Avenue Q - those who previously thought they did not like musicals. It is understandable why Wedekind's play proved so shocking in the 1890s and the emo alt-rock score is ideally suited to this story of troubled teenagers discovering their developing sexuality, even if some of the score is les than memorable and the choreography is excruciating. There are excellent leading performances from Lee Mead lookalike Aneurin Barnard and especially Charlotte Wakefield, but some of the singing by the supporting actors is less impressive. For the West End there may need to be some recasting with more experienced performers, but I look forward to seeing this unusual show again to see how it has developed and improved after a few months. This was also my first visit to the Lyric and it is very odd to find a Victorial proscenium theatre on the second floor of a modern office building, but the entire stalls seating is well below stage level. - David Baxter | 18 Feb 09 |
| Could this be the future for musical theatre? ... No. What's your next question? - Sally Bundock | 17 Feb 09 |
| This is one of the most refreshing shows I have seen for a very long time. Could this be the future for musical theatre? Spring Awakening takes the genre to a whole new level, handling a comedic yet tragic story so beautifully and successfully. The music is fantastic indie, rock, appealing outside of its show soundtrack bounds. The show benefits from a superb, young, fresh faced and hugely talented company, with leading lights Sian Thomas and Richard Cordery playing the various adults. Iwan Rheon (Moritz) has an overwhelmingly beautiful voice with a sharp, rugged edge not dissimilar to artists such as Paolo Nutini and Damien Rice. Aneurin Barnard (Melchior) is an outstanding actor, carrying his story with great sensitivity to the character. Charlotte Wakefield (Wendla), a wonderfully innocent and gifted performer, with Jamie Blackley (Hanschen), Jos Slovick (Georg) and Harry McEntire (Ernst) some of the most notable and splendid of the remaining cast. With an emotive second act and an inspiring finale, this is a true journey not only for the characters (or indeed audience) on stage, but equally for the audience who are carried on an emotional passage. If you don’t see this show, you will certainly miss the theatrical opportunity of the year. - T Jones | 14 Feb 09 |
| I was expecting great things after reading the reviews, but then a friend gave me a copy of the original cast recording. I can't say I was blown away, and I thought some of the songs were a bit dull. However, I went to see the show on Tuesday night, and lets just say, it's one of those shows you need to see to appreciate the music. I thought it was fantastic. I thought the acting from the young cast was superb and there was a couple of occassions especially towards the end where I was thinking please dont spoil the atmosphere with OTT emotions, and they didn't. The singing was superb also. Wendla and Melchior both have beautiful voices and portrayed their stories through their songs. I thought the young guy who played Hanchen was excellent too, just the right amount of confidence and comedy, really made me smile. Ilsa was also fantastic and she was part of I think the most haunting part of the first act, 'I know the dark so well'. The second half is a lot darker but they managed to keep me spellbound throughout without making it, 'Lets play for tears'. By the end of the show, I was enthralled, and quite emotional, purple summer is a great way to end this dramatic moving piece of theatre. So didnt care if anyone else gave them an ovation, I was going to, thankfully I wasn't the only one. Great night out. - T Garrad | 12 Feb 09 |
| It was really great. I have the Broadway cast recording, but haven't listened to it a lot so I wasn't entirely familir with the music, but there were one or two songs that really stood out. I found myself tapping my foot. The cast were all very young, fresh faced & energetic. So refershing to see a cast of relatively unknowns. As much as I truly enjoyed it, its a show that I feel that you may have to see again just to see if the level of energy is maintained and to pick up on all of those little things that you missed the first time round. I was told that it was like RENT, only better- I disagree. Although I can see the similarities, I think that its wrong to make the comparison. They are two entirely different shows. I think that this show has SO MUCH potential to be HUGE! - Anthony B | 11 Feb 09 |
| Absolutley awesome! The male chorus deserve a mention though! Jamie Blackley is fantastic as the gay, charasmatic, seductive Hanchen. And Jos Slovick as Georg, what an unbelievable voice this young man has, totally disguinshed from the rest, has the audience in the palm of his hand. Go and see it!! Its absolutlely stunning! - John H | 10 Feb 09 |
| Absolutely incredible show. I have to say the guy who played Ernst really stood out for me - such a beautiful voice which hasn't been given enough credit - THS | 05 Feb 09 |
| When you go to the theatre as often as I do, it's rare that you come out thinking 'I've never seen anything like that before'. Well, here's an exception. A 19th century German play about adolescent sexual awakening in period costume with original character names and a barely changedstoryline......where the actors frequently take a microphone and express how they FEEL about what's happening to them in lovely contemporary pop / rock songs.....and it works brilliantly because the subject matter is timeless and you believe in it because you've been there - maybe a few years back or maybe ages ago, but you've been there nonetheless. The cast of young actors, most of whom are making their professional debut, are outstanding and the small band at the back of the stage provide excellent accompaniment. It's set in a school gym recognisable from any place and any time with a few rows of audience members mixed with small chorus at the sides. The lighting is exceptional and there are moments of real beauty that take your breath away. There hasn't been a ground-breaking musical like this since Jerry Springer - the Opera. I've loved Billy Elliott, The Producers, Hairspray.....but despite the echoes of Rent, this has a freshness of form which is thrilling. I've just downloaded the music and I can't wait to see it again. This is why I go to the theatre. - Gareth James | 05 Feb 09 |
| Amazingly well cast and a refreshingly new and exciting musical. I wasn't sure quite what to expect but will definitely be returning again soon. Bravo Lyric! - AA | 04 Feb 09 |
| I've just read Charles Spencer's review in the Telegraph and WOS's own Michael Coveney's review in the Independent, both gave FIVE stars! Nicholas de Jongh, however, in the Evening Standard gave it only two stars....who do you think wishes they'd thought about it a bit more before writing their review? YES, Nicholas de Jongh of course!! How out of step can you be? It is a remarkable show with a truly remarkably talented cast...go see before you are forced to pay outrageous West End prices! - FAN-ATIC | 04 Feb 09 |
| Didn't know what to expect, but I loved it ! Brilliant cast. - dcp | 04 Feb 09 |
| Thrilling piece. Superbly performed and directed. Exhilirating music. And, as the issue has been raised, I'm a genuine punter too. - fred | 04 Feb 09 |
| I saw this on Saturday and enjoyed it so much more than the New York production that I saw last year . I was completely blown away by the entire cast and I think they deserved every bit of one of the most rapturous audience receptions I have ever experienced in a theatre . I'm not a friend or family or a teenager for that matter either. Highly recommended - Crombiestone | 04 Feb 09 |
| The best bit of this production is the extremely talented cast, I've not seen a show cast this well in a while. The book and score are a bit disjointed but a great night out at the theatre anyway. I hope it makes it to the West End but doesn't suffer from WE ticket prices. - Not family or a friend. | 04 Feb 09 |
| I wasn't sure what to expect from Spring Awakening but was absolutely blown away by the whole thing. Amazing individual performances from some incredibly talented young people, a beautiful score and stunning set and lighting. I can't wait to see it again when it transfers. - Jenny | 04 Feb 09 |
| I'm bemused by the over-the-top reviews of this show. I found the set rather bland and pointless (a seat which moves across a wall anyone?), the songs all seem to finish abrubtly even before they get going and the show is only shocking if you don't get out much. Unless you are a hormonal teenager, don't bother! - Bad Idea Bear | 04 Feb 09 |
| Refreshingly different I hope this show gets a west end transfer as it is a youthful show that appeals to all ages. I knew the play and could not imagine it being a success as a musical how wrong could I be? Brilliant young cast perform and act superbly I will be very lucky to see a better show this year. - Chris | 02 Feb 09 |
| Refreshingly different I hope this show gets a west end transfer as it is a youthful show that appeals to all ages. I knew the play and could not imagine it being a success as a musical how wrong could I be? Brilliant young cast perform and act superbly I will be very lucky to see a better show this year. - Chris | 02 Feb 09 |
| No Judith, but if I am not mistaken that seat was taken by a gentleman, of a certain age, who seemed to bop along to the music - I am now intrigued as to why you ask? And in response to Andrew's blog I couldn't agree more, a hearty Bravo to them all. - rds | 01 Feb 09 |
| I can't remember the last time I gave five stars to anything... nor can I remember the last time a show was met with such rapturous applause and a spontaneous standing ovation from the whole audience at the curtain call. The acting, singing, music and staging are wonderful - from an energetic, sexy and talented cast. I would be hugely disappointed if a West End transfer (but with reasonable ticket prices) weren't on the cards. Bravo! - Andrew | 01 Feb 09 |
| rds did you sit on the (auditorium) left-hand end of row B ? - Judith | 01 Feb 09 |
| Well Sally I am a genuine punter and this was a fantastic production of Spring Awakening. I saw it in NYC a couple of years ago and didn't like it - I just didn't get it? But boy have this cast convinced me how wrong I was. The casting director alone deserves an award for being spot on picking actors who so closely resemble the original NYC cast and who also on top of that are so talented too! This high energy, moving, story of first love is conveyed with such sensitivity, by this thrilling young cast, that it isn't difficult to see it being bigger than WICKED when it hits the West End. The writers must be absolutely thrilled by the results of this British company. It isn't too often that an American musical is done that much better here, but it certainly is the case with this production. And it is also an endorsement of our drama schools and academies who have turned out these remarkable young people. I would mention individuals by name, but that would just end up a shopping list of talent, instead go and see it and if you can't get to the Lryic Hammersmith then don't despair as it is destined for the Novello when it finishes at the Lyric. Young or old it's a show that puts a "spring" in your step when you leave the theatre. - rds | 31 Jan 09 |
| I thought SA was fantastic, a very talented bunch of young people from the main characters to the Swings, especially as for most of them this was their professional debut. The energy was amazing. I loved the show and would tell anyone teenage or older to experience it. I'll definately be going back in a few weeks to see it again. - Lara | 30 Jan 09 |
| I see the friends/family/cast members reviews are in - now what did the real punters think? - Sally Bundock | 30 Jan 09 |
| One of the best musiicals I have had the pleasure of watching in a long time. Fantastically talented young cast, really well written book and music and a very fresh and innovative idea. I really hope it does well and moves into the West End for a very long time. Preferably to an equally small and intimate venue. - Steve | 25 Jan 09 |
| Absolutely incredible. What a show! Funny, emotional, shocking and energetic. The beautiful score, lavish set and dynamic choreography of the original broadway production were very much kept alive, and added to by Michael Mayer and the rest of the creative team. The British cast were all absolutely outstanding too - notably Charlotte Wakefield as Wendla and Aneurin Barnard as Melchior, and especially Richard Southgate who stepped in to understudy Moritz, which can't have been easy on the first night. Although nerves were evident, the performance wasn't far from flawless, leaving not a single dry eye in the audience. The reaction was incredible too; applause ringing out for almost 5 minutes after the final bows! Probably the best show I have seen in London for over 2 years. I really hope it transfers to the West End, so that more people can experience the wonder that is Spring Awakening, but just in case I have already booked for another viewing at the Lyric, and I just can't wait! - Ronan Shiels | 24 Jan 09 |
