Spring Awakening Comes to Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 3 Jan, 2013
Updated on: 3 Jan, 2013

A powerful production of Frank Wedekind’s haunting, classic play about the terrors of becoming an adult, Spring Awakening comes to Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from Thursday to Saturday, January 17 to 19.

Set in late 19th century Germany, the play follows a highly religious community with straight and gay teens exploring youth’s furtive sexual awakenings. These young people push imposing boundaries as puberty overtakes them and their lives are changed forever.

Spring Awakening is at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from January 17 to 23.

Spring Awakening is at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from January 17 to 19.

15-year-old Melchior is chased out of town for acts of hedonistic, lewd and despicable moral character. But Melchior is the brightest boy in school and knows sex is just a natural act that ends in the beauty of childbirth.

Wendla, the 14-year-old girl-next-door, dies during a tragic abortion thrust upon her by narrow-minded parents. 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.

This is a seminal play that attacks the sexually oppressive culture of fin de siècle Germany and offers a vivid criticism of the erotic fantasies it breeds.

A play well ahead of its time, and with its careful negotiation of teenage pregnancy, homosexuality and religion, it remains bold, challenging and thoughtful today.

Tickets for Spring Awakening are on sale now! You can book yours by calling the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre box office on 01483 440000 or by visiting the website, click here.