bumblingbookworm's Review of Spring Awakening (Theatre Classics, #1) (Playscripts S.)

by Frank Wedekind

Wedekind's play about adolescent sexuality is as disturbing today as when it was first produced Wedekind's notorious play Spring Awakening was written in 1891 but had to wait the greater part of a century before it received its first complete performance in Britain, at the National Theatre in 1974. The production was highly praised, much of its strength deriving from this translation by Edward Bond and Elisabeth Bond Pable, 'scrupulously faithful both to Wedekind's irony and his poetry.' The Times This translation of Spring Awakening was first performed at the National Theatre, London on 24 May 1974. For this edition the translator, Edward Bond, has written a note on the play and a factual introduction to Wedekind's life and work.

This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Bookworm

I bought this when I was in the US in 2009 after seeing the musical at The Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C. and it's languished on my shelves ever since. I finally picked it up this month, and while it was a quick read it was also very meh for me. I think that says more about me than it does the play though, as it seems to have a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews. I think I just struggle to connect with plays as a format, and I didn't really connect to the subject matter in this.

This play was controversial when it was published and I suspect it would still be considered controversial today. It was well written, but the subject matter is bleak and I just don't enjoy reading bleak books. Reading enjoyment is a big factor in whether or not I enjoy a book, and this was middle of the road for me. Trigger warnings for physical abuse, rape, suicide, and abortion (I'm sorry if I've forgotten anything).

Spring Awakening (Theatre Classics, #1) (Playscripts S.)

by Frank Wedekind

Reviewed by bumblingbookworm on Oct 29, 2012

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