Review by Kate Gaul
Adelaide Festival explodes with a new production of the famed ”Hedwig and the Angry Inch”. It’s a full blown American rock musical (and is also a film of the same name). It’s music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask and a book by John Cameron Mitchell. The musical follows Hedwig Robinson, a genderqueer East German singer of a fictional rock and roll band. The story draws on Mitchell's life as the child of a U.S. Army major general who once commanded the U.S. sector of occupied West Berlin. The character of Hedwig was inspired by a German divorced U.S. Army wife who was Mitchell's family babysitter and moonlighted as a prostitute at her trailer park home in Junction City, Kansas. The music is steeped in the androgynous 1970s glam rock style of David Bowie (who co-produced the Los Angeles production of the show), as well as the work of John Lennon and early punk performers Lou and Iggy Pop. The core of the story centres around the search for a soul mate – they exist even if one hasn’t found them yet. Directors Shane Anthony and Dino Dimitriadis have given the source material a contemporary edge, with some updated references and themes, but at its heart, it’s still the original story of self-discovery and evolution.
It’s been a rocky road to a new Australian production - four years ago, a Sydney Festival production led by Hugh Sheridan was canned after a petition raised questions about inclusivity and trans representation. This time it is Seann Miley Moore who leads the company is a sweaty, explosive bleach blond fuelled performance which is a wonder in itself. They are and incredible presence and their sheer stamina will leave you breathless.
The company (a long list of producers including Adelaide Festival) have selected the Queens Theatre in Adelaide as the venue. This is an ancient theatre site which still bears the wear and tear of its various incarnations and is the perfect warehouse space for the show. It is unconventional and has allowed the team to build the perfect atmosphere. If you know the film of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” there are lots of references in the courtyard to enjoy. Various food and drink vendors are peppered around the site; there’s a quasi American dive bar all dark and delicious and the theatre space itself has both tiered and flat floored. Every seat has an almost unique view of the circular stage. The band of five sit in the middle and a steel catwalk allows Hedwig to strut, tease and sing up a storm. Moore is backed by a knockout band who bring Trask’s genre-hopping score to life under the direction of Victoria Falconer on keys, accordion and theremin.
Costuming by Nocol & Ford is unique and all denim patched. Its an effective choice and unifies the look of the show. Adam Novello is the other actor/singer onstage playing Yitzhak (Hedwig’s Jewish husband) and has a fabulous number to end the show. At around the 90 minute mark this is a great night out; a tribute to local talent across the board and lets hope other cities get to enjoy this show in the future.
