Fringe Fever: Spencer Bignell performs in Spring Awakening
Spencer Bignell is excited to be performing in his first Melbourne Fringe, and even more thrilled because it’s in the musical Spring Awakening. It’s on at Monash University in Clayton, which may be far away from the North Melbourne Fringe Hub, but it’s not hard to get to and word on the street is that it’s going to be worth the trip – especially as it’s directed by Yvonne Virsik.
Spencer Bignell is excited to be performing in his first Melbourne Fringe, and even more thrilled because it’s in the musical Spring Awakening. It’s on at Monash University in Clayton, which may be far away from the North Melbourne Fringe Hub, but it’s not hard to get to and word on the street is that it’s going to be worth the trip – especially as it’s directed by Yvonne Virsik.
Show Info:
Spring Awakening: A New Musical When is it on?
31 September – 8 October
The Alexander Theatre, Monash University, Clayton How do you get there by public transport?
Train: Pakenham/Cranbourne line to Huntingdale
…Then take either a bus to Monash Uni, a 900 (Stud Park-Rowville), 630 (Monash Uni), 630A (Monash Uni Shuttle) or 601 (Monash Uni Shuttle).
Train: Sandringham to Gardenvale, then take the 630 bus to Monash Uni.
Bus, 900 (Caulfield) to Monash Uni.Bus, 703 (Middle Brighton) to Monash Uni. Is there parking?
Loads a few metres away.
8pm, with a 2pm matinee on 8 Oct
How much are tickets?
$32/$24 Are tickets available at the door?
Yes
Read our Article by Director Yvonne Virsik: Spring Awakening – A Director’s Perspective
A Quick Chat With Spencer Bignell… (pictured, left)
1. What three words best describe your Fringe show? Sexuality, rock and rebellion.
2. Who does your show speak to? Anyone can identify with it, really. But particularly teenagers and young adults dealing with sexual awakening and personal identity.
3. What other Fringe show will you NOT miss? Insomnia Cat Came To Stay
4. What other Fringe show do you wish you were in? Frankenstein in Love
5. What do you love most about the Melbourne Fringe? The diversity of the productions and events.
6. How many Melbourne Fringes have you performed in? This is my first!
7. If you could invite anyone to see your show (and you know they would come), who would it be? Frank Wedekind – the writer of the original play that the musical is based on. I would love to hear what he thinks of our production.
8. What is the best theatre advice you’ve received? It’s not a stuff up unless the audience notice!
9. What was your most embarrassing moment on stage? Losing the tap off the bottom of my tap shoe in the middle of a dance number. It went flying into the wings, narrowly missing the shins of several other cast members.
10. Do you have any pre- or post-show rituals? I drink a ridiculous amount of water, which often causes me to need multiple trips to the bathroom during a performance.
11. What’s your favourite theatre superstition? Do you believe it? I can’t hear “good luck” before a performance. If anyone says this to me, I have to turn around three times before I feel ok again!
12. What was the last book you read? Steven Tyler’s autobiography.
13. What TV show do you never miss? Community
14. What film will you watch again and again? The Jungle Book
15. Who will hate your Fringe show? Hopefully no one!
16. What show changed how you see theatre? Why? The Lion King. It taught me that theatre is about so much more than just the actor.
17. What was your first time on stage? I was nine and it was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
18. What is the first theatre show you remember seeing? STOMP – tap in ski boots? What the?!
19. If you had access to the TARDIS, what performance would you see first? The first performance of Les Miserables.
20. What director/actor/writer would you just die to work with? Actor/singer Idina Menzel.
21. What is your favourite theatre space in Melbourne? The Regent, I will always wonder how they change the light globes on that chandelier.
22. Where in Melbourne do you always take visitors? Any of the little lane ways in the city. The little boutique shops and the graffiti are just awesome.
23. How do you have your coffee? Chai with honey.
24. What’s the best pizza topping? Hot salami and feta cheese.
25. What do love most about your Fringe show? The people. They’re some of my closest friends now and I didn’t know any of them before hand. I guess that’s the beauty of theatre! Photo: Spencer Bignell and Tom HallsPhoto by: Sarah Walker
More of Anne-Marie’s writing can be found at sometimesmelbourne.blogspot.com
