Spring Awakening

Written By Frank Wedekind Translated by Edward Bond
Directed by Max Lewendel

A powerful production of this haunting classic play about the terrors of becoming an adult.

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The Cast

About

We've all got our junk, and my junk is you.

Spring Awakening is German dramatist Frank Wedekind's first major play and a seminal work in the modern history of theatre.  The play attacks the sexually oppressive culture of fin de siècle Germany and offers a vivid criticism of the erotic fantasies it breeds.

14-year-old Melchior is chased out of town for acts of hedonistic, lewd and despicable moral character. Wendla, his 14-year-old love, dies during a tragic abortion thrust upon her by narrow-minded parents.

But Melchior is the brightest boy in school and sees sex as just a natural act that ends in the beauty of childbirth.

Crushed by Wendla's death and persecuted by the authorities (and even his own parents) Melchior battles through purgatory where he confronts the ghosts of his past.

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Neil McEwan

"If this is what comes from flying too close to the sun,

then long may they continue"

Marketing information

Neil McEwan

"If this is what comes from flying too close to the sun,

then long may they continue"

Venues click here

Creative Team

Director: Max Lewendel
‍Asst Director: Tania Ecca
‍Movement Director: Carrie Meuller
‍Fight Director: Ronin Traynor
‍Vocal Coach: Emma Vane
‍Production Manager: Meg Jones
‍Set Design: Adam Purnell
‍Costume Design: Kate Unwin
‍Sound Design: Theo Holloway
‍Lighting Design: Zachary Holton
‍Assistant LD: Dan Saggars
‍CSM: Zachary Holton
‍DSM: Sam Holton
‍Photographer: George Riddell

Cast:

Melchior: David McLaughlin
‍Wendla: Gabrielle Dempsey
‍Moritz: Christopher Smart
‍Frau Bergman: Gemma Barrett
‍Frau Gabor: Georgina Periam
‍Herr Gabor: Zachary Holton
‍Hanshen: Kaiden Dubois, Eirik Bar
‍Ilse: Nicole Anderson

Reviews

Click here to read more reviews

Church Times - Roderic Dunnett‍

"Gabrielle Dempsey as the girl, Wendla, seeking experience and yet shying away in the face of it, confirmed not just the talents of this young actress, but the brilliance of Wedekind's emotional microscope".

This is South Wales - Mark Rees‍

"Icarus served up two thoroughly compelling productions that, while similar in their outcomes, couldn't have been more different in their delivery".

‍★★★★★

Roderic Dunnett, Behind the Arras

"Max Lewendel’s beautifully observed, trenchant staging".

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What does our Community say?

Read our reviews over 24 productions

Trial of Galileo

RemoteGoat

★★★★★
"Icarus Theatre fly into London on waxen wings, which, after this compelling production, show no sign of melting any time soon, A fine production, and a fantastic example of a writer and performer at the top of their game".

How to be a Bad Girl

Deadline News

★★★★
"Chap's cheeky, witty and bold personality shines through as she sings the stories of her own life, and sometimes others - all with wonderful vocal ability and tone that excites and engages the mixed crowd that packed in to the room to see her."
Lucy Samson

Macbeth

Carrick Biz

★★★★
"Five Stars alone are due to the designers of the simple set and the expressive mood-setting lighting and sound. You'll find out what a bane-moon looks like."
David Kerr

Hamlet

Review Sphere

[Their] adaptation truly had rebranded Hamlet for the Game of Thrones age. It was daring and experimental and often risky, but it worked and proved that it is indeed a living and ever fluid piece of literature"
Caroline Malcolm Boulton

Trial of Galileo

RemoteGoat

"Icarus Theatre fly into London on waxen wings, which, after this compelling production, show no sign of melting any time soon, A fine production, and a fantastic example of a writer and performer at the top of their game".

How to be a Bad Girl

Deadline News

"Chap's cheeky, witty and bold personality shines through as she sings the stories of her own life, and sometimes others - all with wonderful vocal ability and tone that excites and engages the mixed crowd that packed in to the room to see her." Lucy Samson

Macbeth

Carrick Biz

"Five Stars alone are due to the designers of the simple set and the expressive mood-setting lighting and sound. You'll find out what a bane-moon looks like." David Kerr

Hamlet

Review Sphere

Icarus Theatre Collective's adaptation truly had rebranded Hamlet for the Game of Thrones age. It was daring and experimental and often risky, but it worked and proved that it is indeed a living and ever fluid piece of literature." Caroline Malcolm Boulton

Many Roads to Paradise

Uk Theatre Web

★★★★★
"For many reason this play should be seen by everyone. Drama students and theatre-lovers alike will applaud fine acting by the strongest of casts, you would pay a lot of money in the West End for a class act like this"
Gene David Kirk

Journeys End

The Public Reviews

★★★★
"Journey’s End’ is very much an ensemble piece and it would be difficult and probably rather unfair to pick out one actor over another. Each and every performance is consummately delivered." Steve Burbridge

At the Mountains of Madness

Ija Pona

★★★★★
"We were treated to a show that was true to the H. P. Lovecraft original and made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I experienced frisson during last night."

Romeo & Juliet

British Theatre Guide

★★★★
Max Lewendel’s careful direction makes perfect sense of the tricky text, finding as much humour as possible in the early comic scenes. He keeps his actors on the move, each with purpose and justified intention.
Helen Brown

Many Roads to Paradise

Uk Theatre Web

★★★★★
"For many reason this play should be seen by everyone. Drama students and theatre-lovers alike will applaud fine acting by the strongest of casts, you would pay a lot of money in the West End for a class act like this"
Gene David Kirk

Journeys End

The Public Reviews

★★★★
"Journey’s End’ is very much an ensemble piece and it would be difficult and probably rather unfair to pick out one actor over another. Each and every performance is consummately delivered." Steve Burbridge

At the Mountains of Madness

Ija Pona

★★★★★
"We were treated to a show that was true to the H. P. Lovecraft original and made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I experienced frisson during last night."

Romeo & Juliet

British Theatre Guide

★★★★
Max Lewendel’s careful direction makes perfect sense of the tricky text, finding as much humour as possible in the early comic scenes. He keeps his actors on the move, each with purpose and justified intention.
Helen Brown