Hadestown - Teen Edition

Hadestown - Teen Edition

Axminster Drama Club Youth

Written by Anais Mitchell

Directed by Sara Leat & Matilda Leat

Musical Director - Ellie Walker

Choreographer - Matilda Leat

Production Assistant - Claire May

 

This was a dual cast production, and I attended and reported on the performance on Thursday 19th March.

Hadestown is a folk and jazz-inspired musical that retells the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice alongside the story of Hades and Persephone. It follows Orpheus as he journeys to the underworld to rescue Eurydice after she is lured there by the promise of security. Set against a harsh, industrial world ruled by Hades, the story explores love, sacrifice, and the struggle between hope and fear.

On arrival at the Guildhall, I was met by the lovely Jackie, who showed us to our seats and handed us our programmes, offered us drinks and gave us a bowl of snacks to enjoy, which was a thoughtful touch and a true sign of warm, fantastic hospitality. The stage was already open, revealing the set, and there were three members of the cast playing instruments, a double bass, a cajón and a trombone, while others danced, played cards and interacted on stage, creating a sense of anticipation for what was about to unfold. There was also a palpable buzz of excitement in the audience, adding to the atmosphere before the performance began.

Hermes stepped on stage with clear and unmistakable confidence, full of style and completely in control. In your elegant grey suit, you immediately drew the eye, carrying yourself with a natural ease. As the storyteller, you set the tone perfectly, guiding the audience with warmth and clarity. Opening with ‘Road to Hell’, you delivered each word so clearly and thoughtfully that nothing was lost, carefully bringing the audience into the story and ensuring every detail was understood and felt. Your performance was engaging and well characterised, striking the right balance between presence and narrative, and sustaining a captivating demeanour throughout the show, holding the audience’s attention and threading every moment together seamlessly.

Orpheus gave a powerful performance, commanding the stage with poise and flair. Your voice drew the audience in, conveying the emotion and nuance of the story. Your characterisation was thoughtful and precise, capturing both the depth and the naive charm of your character, and every gesture, expression, and movement supported the narrative, bringing the story to life in a way that was utterly engaging and fully realised. Adding to the magic, you played your own guitar, filling the stage with a raw, personal energy that made the performance feel even more alive. You sustained this level of brilliance throughout, holding the audience’s attention and creating a strong connection with every moment on stage. ‘Epic III’ was breathtaking and beautiful, leaving the room completely silent, every eye focused on you, a testament to the way you completely held the audience in your spell.

Persephone, the goddess of spring, was absolutely radiant on stage. Every movement, every glance, every subtle gesture spoke volumes, conveying emotion with such clarity that every aspect of her being was palpable on stage. Your singing voice was warm, soulful, and full of depth, and your performance of ‘Our Lady of the Underground’ was stunning, turning one of the show’s highlights into an unforgettable moment. You carried the stage effortlessly, drawing the audience into your world and keeping us completely engaged from start to finish. It was a performance full of heart, energy, and artistry, leaving a lasting impression long after the final note.

Eurydice was yet another powerhouse on stage. Delicate and gentle, yet strong willed and independent, you delivered your songs with incredible power and emotion throughout the performance. Your connection with Orpheus was completely believable, and the love scenes between you were stunning to watch. You captured the true essence of Eurydice in every way, bringing her character to life with depth, emotion, and authenticity. You balanced her vulnerability and quiet strength beautifully, allowing both sides of her character to shine through in a way that felt honest and deeply moving. The way you navigated her emotions from tenderness and hope to determination and heartache made her feel real and fully present on stage.

Hades exuded an atmosphere of intensity and control that was evident from the very beginning. Vocally, you were extraordinary; your deep, resonant low notes were stunning, delivered with remarkable control and precision that never wavered, each one adding weight and authority to the character. What truly set your performance apart, however, was your complete embodiment of the role, you did not just perform Hades, you became him, balancing dominance with restraint and menace with quiet intensity, while your commanding movements, posture, and measured expressions brought real depth to the character, resulting in a rare performance where your vocal mastery and characterisation aligned seamlessly to create a truly unforgettable interpretation.

The Trio of Fates looked absolutely stunning in their costumes, with a striking magnetism that immediately drew you in and made every gesture mesmerizing. The harmonies were incredible, so precise, so beautifully blended, completely spot on, and I especially loved your movement and characterisation; it was haunting and truly spellbinding to watch. The attention to detail really stood out, with those small, connected moments, like one of you crossing your leg and the others following one after the other, or the flicking of the fans, all flawlessly executed. You worked seamlessly as a trio, completely in sync throughout, and as I said, the harmonies were flawless.

The Workers, easily the hardest-working chorus in Hadestown, were phenomenal. Their energy, precision, and timing were relentless, and they brought every number to life with such commitment and heart. The sound you created as a group was incredible, and I was completely blown away by the talent and brilliance each and every one of you showcased.

The overground workers were full of pizazz and charisma. Their dance routines were exciting, with lots of movement and playful interactions, making the performance feel fun, lively, and vivacious. I loved how each of you had your chance to shine in ‘Way Down Hadestown’ with your individual performances, adding personality and flair that really stood out.

The underground workers were slick, perfectly synchronised, and had a mechanical and industrial feel about them, absolutely chilling. Every movement was precise and purposeful, with each performer like a cog in a well-oiled machine. Their coordination and timing were flawless, making each moment intense and electrifying.

The scenery was spectacular and richly detailed, with two layers of staging that allowed Hades and Persephone to sit above the action on stage. The walking platform was seamlessly integrated, and the painting was exquisite. Kudos to the skill and artistry of everyone involved in the construction, painting, and design of this remarkable set. The costumes and makeup were fantastic throughout, each one distinctive, playing a key role in establishing the scene, tone and atmosphere. I especially loved the exquisite Fates’ costumes, Hermes’ grey suit with its wing detail, and the underground workers in their overalls with their bodies coated in grime, coal, and oil.

The lighting and sound in this production were some of the best I have ever seen. The lighting expertly set the mood, atmosphere, and overall feel of every scene. Some of my favourite moments of lighting included the entrance of the underground workers, which immediately established the tone and tension. The spotlight on the Fates during ‘Nothing Changes’ was striking and powerful, and the lighting in ‘Wait For Me’ was perfectly executed. The sound was excellent, never overpowering the singers on stage. The microphones were set at the perfect level, allowing every voice to come through clearly. The balance and clarity were professional and precise. A massive well done to Seventh Wave Audio for providing such fantastic sound and lighting.

The choreography was, as previously mentioned, slick, full of energy, precise, and completely on point. Words can hardly capture it, but a huge well done to Tilly. It was a fabulous achievement, and how you got everyone to move in perfect sync, maintaining timing, spacing, and energy throughout, was truly impressive.

Being the musical director of a production with nine-part harmonies is no mean feat, but Ellie, you delivered. The sound was out of this world - tight, precise, and beautifully balanced. Coordinating everyone to enter precisely at the correct moment, particularly while performing to a backing track rather than a live band, is truly remarkable. Hats off to you; the result was simply extraordinary.

The direction was precise and disciplined, and the passion radiated from the stage. Everyone was where they should be, when they should be. It all came together seamlessly, resulting in one of the most outstanding performances I’ve seen in a long time. To realise that the cast ranged in age from 13 to 18 makes the achievement even more incredible. For a youth production, the quality and standard were exceptional. Well done to you, Sara & Matilda, on such a remarkable accomplishment.

Usually, this is where I would highlight some of my favourite moments of the show, but in this case, every moment was a highlight. This production has become one of the most memorable things I have seen this year. I am completely in awe of what Axminster Drama Club Youth achieved, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for both the group as a whole and for each and every performer who truly shone on stage.

Kate Marshall

SW NODA Representative for District 8

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