Photo Credit: Peter Ling – Hadestown Cast.
Take the railroad to hell and come see how the world could be.
This exciting and vibrant teen version of the hit musical Hadestown presented by The Gallery Players is a must see. It’s the first time they have used an all youth cast, with the performers all aged between 16 and 19, and the usual Gallery Players quality has not dipped in the slightest. I was blown away by the talent of the young performers on stage.
Photo Credit: Peter Ling – Milena Burza-Mayne as Hermes.
Hadestown intertwines the Greek Mythology stories of young lovers Orpheus and Eurydice and King of the Underworld Hades and his wife Persephone. It doesn’t matter if , like me, don’t know much or anything about Greek Mythology, as the tale is expertly narrated by Master of Cermonies, the god with feathers on her feet, Hermes, played by Milena Burza-Mayne.
Photo Credit: Peter Ling – Hadestown Workers
From the moment Milena sings the first note you are transported on her wave of New Orleans inspired sultry jazz and excellent storytelling. Milena has a wonderful voice but then so does the rest of the cast. There’s not a weak link among them, including the ensemble of workers; Lucy Bailey, Rosie Coffey, Molly Cutting, Dylan Garner, Harrison Green and Felix Partridge.
Photo Credit: Peter Ling – Mathilde Marsh as Persephone, Milena Burza-Mayne as Hermes and India Hill as Eurydice.
Mathilde Marsh shines as the Goddess of Spring, Persephone and has a captivating stage presence. There is great chemistry with her and her cruel husband, Hades the King of the Underworld, played by Samuel Earthroll with an attractive menance which draws you to him even though you’re also scared of him.
Photo Credit: Peter Ling – Samuel Earthroll as Hades.
Our young loves Orpheus and Eurydice are played by Jacob Garner and India Hill. They look so youthful, full of hope and in love you can’t help but want them to be happy ever after. Remember though, as Hermes tells at the start, this is a tragedy. Jacob Garner copes with the tricky score well. The music in Hadestown is not easy and as the character is working on a song throughout the show he not only sings but plays live guitar expertly. India Hill’s liltingly beautiful voice and folky tones suit her numbers perfectly and she is surely a West End star in the making.
Photo Credit: Peter Ling – India Hill as Eurydice and Jacob Garner as Orpheus.
A favourite for me was The Fates, a trio of women dressed the same and ‘always singing in the back of your mind’. They are the ultimate ‘ Greek Chorus’, acting as your subconscious, your guilt, your doubt and your insecurities nagging away at your self-confidence, laughing and mocking you.
Madison Gisborne, Martha Hockley and Holly Kerwick blend perfectly and their vocal harmonies are a musical highlight. They tease and chide the main characters, a constant presence filling them full of self doubt and as a result the trio look to be throughly enjoying these marvellous parts to play. I looked up the significance of their sewing inspired neckwear and it’s very clever. I will leave you to discover that for yourselves.
Photo Credit: Peter Ling – Madison Gisborne, Holly Kerwick and Martha Hockley as The Fates.
This is an ambitious production with a complex score and full credit must go to the production team, Wade Ablitt, director, choreographer and designer, musical director Olly Wood, and assistant director, Lucy O’Brien. They have done a outstanding job and the whole show flows, never faltering in energy, feeling or passion. It’s also fabulous to see that they use a live band on stage, rather than backing tracks, and the sound is richer and more authentic for that. Live music is always best.
At the end, when Hermes is wrapping up the story and telling us how the song goes on and ‘we’re gonna sing it again’ you could hear a pin drop, so engrossed and invested were we as a audience. There is no better endorsement of an amazing production than that, apart maybe from the well deserved standing ovation.
Get yourself a ticket now. You do not want to miss such exceptional youthful talent.
Hadestown runs until 1st August at the Gallery Studio Theatre, Ipswich with performances at 7.30 pm
Book tickets online at The Gallery Studio Theatre Website
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