Returning to the stage after its acclaimed debut season at Trades Hall in 2016, Awakening is a new adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s masterpiece Spring Awakening, created by Green Room nominee Daniel Lammin (Master Class) in collaboration with Monash Uni Student Theatre.
Melchior, Moritz and Wendla are on the cusp of adulthood, pulled between innocence and responsibility. Physically blossoming and emotionally vulnerable, they have to find their own way when the adult world around them seems incapable of guiding them.
Built out of the DNA of the original, it both honours the legacy of Wedekind’s controversial play and questions current Australian attitudes towards the transition into adulthood. In the midst of our national crisis over teenage mental health and sexuality, and debate fuelled by ignorance and bigotry, Awakening brings this timeless classic crashing into the twenty-first century.
“Awakening was born out of my love for Wedekind’s original play and my growing frustration with the ignorant treatment of teenagers in Australia”, says Lammin. “As we were creating it, the attack against Safe Schools was at its most vicious, and The Line campaign was being launched about awareness of sexual and physical violence between teenagers. I wish that the content of Spring Awakening wasn’t still as relevant as it is, but the interrogation of this play is as vital as ever.”
Working with young theatre makers has resulted in some of the most thrilling, challenging and satisfying experiences of Lammin’s career, and as MUST Artistic Director Yvonne Virsik attests, “The work of emerging theatre makers is enormously vital to the ecology of Melbourne theatre. I’m thrilled that fortyfivedownstairs is giving the team behind Awakening the opportunity to show what they are capable of.”
Daniel is a graduate of Directing at NIDA and the Bachelor of Performing Arts at Monash University. He received a Green Room nomination in 2014 for his work on Master Class (Left Bauer Productions), and in 2011 was a recipient of the Besen Family Artist Program from Malthouse Theatre.
His other directing credits include: Ryan (La Mama), The Cutting Boys (La Mama), Columbine (MUST), Christopher Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (Melbourne Fringe 2015), Pygmalion (5pounds of Repertory Theatre), Howl (NIDA / Theatre Works) and The Laramie Project (MUST).
He was also Assistant Director on The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (Red Stitch), On the Misconception of Oedipus (Malthouse Theatre) and Endgame (MTC). Daniel completed a dramaturgy internship in 2014 with Playwriting Australia and MTC.
Writer/Director: Daniel Lammin Featuring: Nicola Dupree, Samantha Hafey-Bagg, Eamonn Johnson, James Malcher, Sam Porter, Imogen Walsh Lighting Design: Shaun Haney Set Design: Julia Kaddatz Costume Design: Charmian Sim Sound Design: Sam Porter
Awakening
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Season: 11 – 21 May 2017
Information and Bookings: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com