Falkirk Youth Theatre's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition takes Grangemouth audiences by storm

The talented senior members of the company took to the stage on Saturday, November 7 (reviewed performance) and Sunday, November 8, to present the teen version to packed houses.

This is a slightly adapted version of the full show however it retains most of the original material. Some roles were split cast, and I heard many of the audience saying they were returning the next day to see it again, it was that good.

The story follows two intertwining love stories: the mortal young lovers Orpheus and Eurydice, and the immortal couple King Hades and Persephone.

Jaye LeHardy took on the challenging role of Orpheus and did not falter, with beautiful vocals and acting with sincerity and real believability.

Eurydice was played exceptionally by Maddy Hynde with a voice and performance that belied her youth, giving some of the most poignant moments in the show, a particular highlight being ‘Flowers’.

When the pair sang together, they had wonderful harmonies and real chemistry which was a delight to watch.

Hermes was given a sense of menace and power by Layla Hutton who commanded the space with a great voice and stage presence.

Holly Parke brought Persephone to life and gave a beautiful performance where we really felt her despair, and she sang beautifully with real feeling.

The piece is Narrated by the character of Hermes (Faye Campbell) who wowed the audience with a voice that belted out numbers like a pro in a larger-than-life performance, but also had moments of true tenderness.

The chorus of ‘The Fates’ worked very well, incorporating more than the usual three performers into the roles. This made the group especially effective at surrounding characters when planting seeds of doubt. The whole ensemble worked very well, and I loved how much everyone was involved in most of the scenes. When the workers circled the stage in Hades underground world chanting it was a powerful and haunting moment.

Costumes by Hannah Palmer were fantastic and gave a real sense of all the characters contrasting the lightness of the springtime to the dark world of Hadestown.

Choreography was contemporary, creative and clearly well planned and rehearsed with wonderful dances and movement throughout from choreographer Julieann Crannie.

Musical Director Samuel Johnston had brought the fantastic New Orleans jazz soundtrack to life with vocal performances that brought goosebumps and were unbelievably strong given the age of the cast (12-18 years). This is an incredibly complex score with dialogue sung as well as spoken and not one performer missed a beat.

Director Amanda Glover made great use of the impressive set and the levels it gave to the production, a highlight being the walk into Hadestown from downstage into a pool of red light and smoke.

Each principal and ensemble put their heart and soul into their acting and had clearly worked hard on their characters and storyline.

This was an incredible show that you would want to see again and again and deserving of the standing ovation it received from a raptured audience.

It was fantastic to see nearly 50 young people with a passion for theatre giving it their all on stage, but also to know that there have been months of fun rehearsals and teamwork in the process.

Falkirk Youth Theatre have created something very special with this show, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Cast:

Orpheus – Jaye LeHardy (Saturday), Niamh Mitchell (Sunday); Euridice – Maddy Hynde (Saturday), Amberly Howarth (Sunday); Hades – Layla Hutton; Persephone – Holly Parke (Saturday), Zoe Arnott (Sunday); Hermes – Faye Campbell; Fates 1 – Connor Astles, Luke Callaghan, Sonny Downey; Fates 2 – Louisa Faichney, Sarah Baillie, Carly Blackley; Fates 3 – Lexie McDougall, Faith Scott, Lucie McLachlan; Fates 4 – Beth Began, Orlagh Lindsay, Sophie Pascall; Ensemble – Aaron Fotheringham, Alice Dolbear, Amy Morrison, Ben McDougall, Chloe Yates, Evie Sneddon, Felicity Crombie, Haiden Sneddon, Hannah Ryan, Grace Cameron, Grace Cornwell, Grace McDonald, Gracie Brandrick, Keeley Owen, Kenzi Leadbetter, Lucie Rushford , Millie McCourt, Orla Chambers, Roisin Thomson, Ryan Main, Sofia Else.