Spring Awakening Preview at the Novello

Spring Awakening is at the Novello Theatre until 30th May 2009.

We managed to get tickets for the first preview last Saturday and were favourably impressed.


It was a bit chaotic outside the theatre for people who hadn’t already picked up their tickets. (Note to self- really worth taking the time to pick tickets up earlier in the day or get them sent to you!) Still a very reassuring member of the theatre staff made it clear that nothing would start till we were all seated and sure enough we soon were.
Once inside we had a good look at the audience and noted there was a good mix of ages. I’d been a little concerned it might all be young folk but actually it was pretty balanced.
The performance was excellent, quite slick and very high energy. I thought all the leads were great and the ensemble pieces were very impressive. It really didn’t feel like a preview at all but then they’ve brought the set with them from the Lyric Hammersmith so it’s not like a brand new show.
If the future of West End musicals depends on these young people I’d say we’re looking at some amazing productions over the next few years. They sang, danced and acted their way through some challenging material and the audience responded with a standing ovation. Not a forced one, which is sadly becoming all too common, but a spontaneous and heart felt one.
It was a great night out and I’d recommend Spring Awakening to anyone. Other people have been a bit troubled by the subject matter of the musical and it isn’t a boy meets girl feel good story. The body count is quite high and there are fairly explicit sexual and violent scenes. I wouldn’t take the average pre-teen but then I wouldn’t take them to Avenue Q either!

The show might be a bit challenging but it connected with the young people in the audience in a quite remarkable way. At times you could have heard a pin drop, or at least you might have if it hadn’t been for the poor soul dying of consumption a couple of rows away!

Spring Awakening is booking through to October 31st 2009