LAMTA students Dylan Janse van Rensburg and Scarlett Pay in Spring Awakening. PICTURE: Claude Barnardo
The Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA) will present Spring Awakening, their final production for the year, at Theatre on The Bay, from Friday November 24 to Sunday December 3.
The rock musical that scooped eight Tony Awards in 2007, including Best Musical, will be directed by award-winning writer and actress Sylvaine Strike.
Based on Frank Wedekind's controversial play that was first performed in Germany in 1906, Spring Awakening delves into the lives of a group of adolescent students discovering their sexual identities and desires as they rebel against the prevailing burdensome and restrictive societal norms.
Under Strike’s direction, this reimagined production will bring the gripping and emotional story to life as it explores complex themes such as self-discovery, repression and the power of rebellion.
A fusion of electrifying rock music, Spring Awakening is underpinned by passionate performances in a daring exploration of adolescence. The talented LAMTA cast will convey the raw emotions of these characters through strong musical numbers in a range of genres from heart-wrenching ballads to raucous rock anthems.
Designer Niall Griffin has taken an eco approach, making all the props, scenery, wardrobe and everything in between from natural fibre products, with environmentally-friendly paints and dyes used throughout. The entire production is bespoke, with no re-purposed or borrowed items on stage and where all materials such as wood and fabrics, have been sustainably sourced and created from scratch right down to the shoes and where even ends of laces have been dipped in wax as opposed to plastic, as per what was typically done in the Victorian era. “It has been a huge undertaking and a very rewarding one at that, for both Sylvaine and I,” says Griffin.
Musical direction is by Amy Campbell and Anton Luitingh while Duane Alexander acts as choreographic supervisor to the two promising choreographers and LAMTA alumni, Anna Olivier and Naoline Quinzen.
Spring Awakening contains an age restriction of 13 with mature themes, partial nudity, sexual situations as well as explicit language.
Tickets cost from R250 to R350 through Webtickets or the Theatre on The Bay box office on 021 438 3301 with discounts available for students, seniors, and groups.