Listen to what’s in the heart of a child… Two Tooting residents perform in leading amateur theatre company’s production of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s Spring Awakening.

Laura Manzotti and Matt Hudson, who both live in Tooting, are both in the cast of Spring Awakening, which is being staged at the Bridewell (9-19 May 2012) by the theatre’s resident company, Sedos, the City of London’s premier amateur theatre company (www.sedos.co.uk).

Winner of eight Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards, Spring Awakening is the contemporary musical adaption of one of literature’s most controversial and frequently banned plays. Against a backdrop of energetic pop-rock music, the audience discovers a group of adolescents in the midst of the thrilling and mysterious time of their sexual discovery. Spring Awakening evokes a world where children are told what to do and who to be — when they fight back, they set in motion a chain of events which will leave their friends and elders changed forever.

Director Chris Warner says: “Spring Awakening is a musical unlike any other. It’s youthful, energetic, raw, dark, rocky and full of emotion. But the themes are ageless — everyone will have at some point experienced some of the feelings that the characters in Spring Awakening are discovering. Audiences should come for something new and different, something challenging. “It’s a show of contrasts, too: light versus dark. Do expect some bleak, haunting scenes, but this is not just a show of harrowing themes. The darkness is very much juxtaposed by energetic, beautiful and hopeful songs.”

Musical director Ryan Macaulay adds: “For me, the most important thing is that the sound is true to the dramatic arc of the show. We’ve had a lot of discussions about gigs and concerts so the rock numbers will feel like you’re at the O2 immersed in sound, while the quieter ballads will have an intimate, acoustic flavor — think your front room, a stool and a guitar.”

Playing on the setting and musical genre of the show, there are two special performances — German School Disco on Saturday 12 May and Rock Night on Friday 18 May — and there is also a Charity Night on Wednesday 10 May, when half of proceeds will be given to Mousetrap Theatre Projects, Sedos’s Charity of the Year for 2012.

This production is sponsored by amateurstage and directed by Chris Warner, working with creative director Max Wolf, musical director Ryan Macauley and choreographer Tim Garrad. By day Chris is head of marketing at conference and web-based TV company WebsEdge, Max is a graphic designer, Ryan works for the theatrical rights-holders Josef Weinberger and Tim is a senior consultant at financial services consultancy firm Capco.

Full details: Sedos presents Spring Awakening, by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater The Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, Fleet St, London, EC4Y 8EQ 9-19 May 2012 Box office: sedos.co.uk 7.30pm, matinées both Saturdays at 3pm (no show on Sunday, 13 May or Monday, 14 May) Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8EQ Box office: sedos.co.uk Tickets: £15 (£12.50 concession) unless otherwise stated Charity Night, Thursday 10 May:
50% of proceeds donated to Mousetrap Theatre Projects, Sedos Charity of the Year.

German School Disco, Saturday 12 May evening show: tickets £20 (concessions £17.50). Ticket includes a complimentary drink and programme.

Rock Night, Friday 18 May: tickets £20 (concessions £17.50). Ticket includes a complimentary drink and programme.

Please note: Spring Awakening contains adult themes which may not be suitable for young children.

Based on information supplied by Pippa Roome.