Hadestown Musical

Hadestown.... and back again!

The Production Team embarked on a motivational journey to the Victorian premiere of the multi-award-winning, genre-defying musical Hadestown.

On the night of the Winter Solstice, 48 Norwood students, from Years 7 to 12, and 5 excited staff met at Ringwood Station to ride that train to the end of the line (and around the City Loop!) to Parliament Station. We navigated our way out of the station’s underground world via the long, steep escalators and arrived at Her Majesty’s Theatre in plenty of time to be the first seated in the Grand Circle.

Of course, our wonderful students were exemplary throughout the whole experience; they were transfixed by the brilliance of the music, singing and acting, and by the poetry of movement, and staging, barely moving or even breathing during the show’s two one-hour acts. Ushers and other staff at Her Majesty’s were suitably impressed by the behaviour of our students and lavished us with praise as we left.

There are loads of things to love about Hadestown: the incredible stagecraft, brilliant direction, innovative ensemble choreography, and extraordinary score – played by an on-stage band and sung exquisitely by the Australian cast – had me hopping with excitement! Students were also moved and inspired by the story itself, which expresses deep love and enduring hope for the survival of art, poetry, music, and the act of creating through the combined love stories of Orpheus and Euridice and Hades and Persephone.

Hadestown may be a sad tale – a tragedy – but we would all be happy to sing it again and again and again!

Here are a few student responses:

Loved every minute of the show. So much talent and dedication was shown – a fantastic portrayal of the meaningful complexity and beauty of performance!

– Logan B

Such an amazing story and a beautiful set! Sobbed the whole way home 😭❤️

– Audrey G

The songs combined with the staging, lighting, and choreography made it such a magical experience!

- Jupiter H

It was amazing. I can't describe it with words!

– Annabelle T

Couldn't have asked for a better show. The songs were perfect and so was the storyline.

– Fraser G

It was Phenomenal. I have listened to the soundtrack ever since!

– Meg F

Brilliant! It was so involving, and the cast was just so talented. Couldn’t ask for better.