Hadestown: Teen Edition - 4 out of 5 stars
Woodcroft College
TICKETS: End of Season
This review focusses on the cast members that were not in the “Lantern Cast”. My thoughts and comments on the production elements, creative team and ensemble can be read in the Lantern Cast review found here: Hadestown: Teen Edition (Lantern Cast) Review
If you're unaware of the storyline, Hadestown reimagines the Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone in a Depression-era, folk-jazz world where a famine-stricken surface has lost its seasons because Persephone spends too much time in the underworld. Idealistic musician Orpheus falls for pragmatic, poverty-weary Eurydice and promises to write a song that will bring spring back, but as winter worsens and he becomes absorbed in his music, a desperate Eurydice accepts Hades’s offer of work and security in Hadestown, an industrial underground factory where workers build an endless wall and sign away their freedom.
Clara McGinley, as Hermes proves that you don’t need a loud voice to command the stage. Her presence from the beginning had all eyes on her, and with a smooth tone, she began the show with the accustomed “All right?” Throughout, she is guide and storyteller, performing with clarity and warmth, moving comfortably between narrator and being in the action.
James Vinall delivers us Orpheus with simplicity and vulnerability. The idea that music and love will make the world a better place seems to be the epitome of Vinall’s character choices. Orpheus’ vocal requirements stretched Vinall’s ability with some songs more suitably transposed down for his comfortability.
Emily Kwiatkowski’s Eurydice is compelling and emotionally grounded. The character’s independence and inner strength was a core motivator for her choices. Her vocals were emotionally charged and the delivery was astounding, although her aussie accent was comically strong. Her connection with Vinall gave the love story genuine belief.
Cohen Green portrayed Hades as what began as a smooth-talking God, leaving plenty of breadth to become the commander of the underworld once returning to Hadestown. The effect of Orpheus’ song on Hades was brilliantly portrayed by Green, effectively creating an emotional deity that shaped a natural flow into the next beat of the production.
Opposite Hades, Madeleine Marchetti portrayed Persephone with emotional warmth throughout. She successfully captures the brightness of the character while convincingly driving the story that they have been together for an eternity, ensuring her moments of joy and weariness are equal. Marchetti’s rendition of “Our Lady of the Underground” was a character highlight!
Annabel Baker reprises her position as a Fate in this cast, alongside Poppy Cubitt and Isobella Silvester, working as a tight unit while maintaining their individuality. Creating the presence of doubt, fears and anxieties, I walked away realising they’re responsible for the love story’s demise. Their vocals worked well together, effortlessly flowing through the action.
Worth mentioning is the vocals of the actors in character roles from the alternate cast are still present by means of a vocal booth. For the final performance, they joined their cast mates onstage for the bows and the final song, “We Raise our Cups”.
The lighting design and execution across both casts was outstanding, using an emotionally driven palette to enhance the space. Most states felt purposeful, with whites, ambers, and reds, without overwhelming the performers. There were however, the odd states that didn’t make sense, or lack of lighting in other areas, leaving some characters dimly lit. The sound design and execution was well balanced and not overbearing.
As the show closed for the final time, it was certainly an emotionally charged ending, not only of the musical, but for the journey these students have been on, and the realisation that for some of them, this is their last high school musical. To those students, I really hope this isn’t the end of your musical theatre journey – there are plenty of theatre companies in Adelaide that would be truly blessed to be graced by your talent, energy and enthusiasm!
- Andrew Broadbent
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