The first 08 production of Long Cloud Youth Theatre will be the controversial masterpiece Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind. The twelve young talented actors of the company will perform this play about teenage self-discovery at the theatre of Wellington Performing Arts Centre from June 6 until June 8. The first 08 production of Long Cloud Youth Theatre will be the controversial masterpiece Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind. The twelve young talented actors of the company will perform this play about teenage self-discovery at the theatre of Wellington Performing Arts Centre from June 6 until June 8.Abortion, homosexuality, rape, masturbation, sadism and suicide; Spring Awakening reveals the soul of a teenager with a most gripping touch showcasing its joys and sorrows, its hopes and despair, its struggles and tragedies.

"Highly provoking, this play is a warning against any society that desperately tries to control its citizens. Seen from the innocent eyes of children, Spring Awakening shakes up our thinking of how free we truly are. Although it might seem that in our Western communities we achieved the value of freedom, is this really the case? The play becomes more relevant as our armies get stronger, our schools, prisons and bombs bigger," says director Willem Wassenaar.

Spring Awakening is set in a provincial town in 1890s Germany, and is a full-frontal attack on life hating hypocrisy and ignorance. Despite the historical and geographical context, its portrayal of adolescent sexuality in combat with repressive authority still resonates with surprising force.

When Destiny Church is preaching an anti-gay agenda, when New Zealand has the highest suicide rates amongst youngsters, when US educationalists claim that chastity-led sex education is the way to go, when Amnesty International is condemned by church authorities for supporting abortions for raped women, the idea of "progress" in these issues comes under question. We are more like the 19th century than we care to admit.

Spring Awakening concerns a group of fourteen year old boys and girls, all of them feeling the first stirrings of sexual desire. Their confusions and, finally, their tragedies stem from the ignorance in which they are kept by their parents and other authorities.

The awakening of their bodies drives them to actions they do not understand, and that often bewilders and frightens them.

Long Cloud Youth Theatre, run by Wellington Performing Arts Centre, is a unique training and production company for young people aged 16-20 years. The Company gives young actors the means to enhance their theatrical skills through practical performance experience and the opportunity to work with Wellington's foremost theatrical directors and tutors. The program is led by award winning teacher and director Willem Wassenaar.

Long Cloud Youth Theatre Media Release

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SPRING AWAKENING by FRANK WEDEKIND | A tragi-comedy of teenage sex
Directed by WILLEM WASSENAAR | Designed by DANIEL WILLIAMS
JUNE 6, 7, 8 @ 7.30PM | JUNE 8 also @ 3PM
Wellington Performing Arts Centre, 36 Vivian St
$15/$10 | BOOK NOW PH: 04 385 8033 or EMAIL: info@wpac.org.nz

25/05/08