John Cameron Mitchell – The Origin of Love

Hot on the heels of Patti Lupone for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival comes another Broadway ‘legend’ – John Cameron Mitchell. Although also based in Musical Theatre this is a completely different show. Whereas Ms Lupone blew us away with her renditions of popular and conventional Broadway classics, John Cameron Mitchell blasts this convention apart.

John Cameron Mitchell came to prominence in 1998 when he and Stephen Trask created Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The success of this Off-Broadway show eventually led to a movie version in 1991. Subsequently, Hedwig and the Angry Inch has gone on to achieve ‘cult classic’ status with it either being staged or screened throughout the world.  His current show, The Origin Of Love, which received its world premiere in Adelaide, is about the creation of Hedwig, the story behind the respective songs and characters, and its subsequent history over the past twenty years.

As John Cameron Mitchell explains in his delicious cynical anecdotes between songs, the reasons for the ‘cult classic’ status of Hedwig are numerous. There is the fact that its story about a transgender rock star, Hedwig, and her struggle against exploitation and abuse was groundbreaking at the time. It is certainly something that continually is stated, according to John Cameron Mitchell, much to his chagrin. He objects to any reductive labels. Nonetheless, prior to Hedwig there had never been such a brilliant and vibrant transgender character in a Broadway musical.

It is, however, the music of Hedwig and the Angry Inch that is the most appealing and powerful reason why this musical and John Cameron Mitchell has gained worldwide popularity. You can clearly see the influence of David Bowie, openly acknowledged by Mitchell, which may explain some of the worldwide appeal.

There is, however, something more. As John Cameron Mitchell states, he was already established on Broadway in such shows as The Secret Garden. He felt, however, that something was missing. He looked at the raw and thrilling energy in ‘punk rock’ concerts and wondered why this wasn’t on Broadway. Hence, after a fortuitous meeting with Stephen Trask on a plane, Hedwig and the Angry Inch was born.

The Origin of Love is not only the title of this current show, but is also the name of one of the best known songsfrom Hedwig – and was the opening number in this show. John Cameron Mitchell appeared as Hedwig dressed in a fabulous costume, designed by Erik Bergrin, inspired by the Sydney Opera House. The audience went wild!

This was followed, between anecdotes, by other songs from Hedwig, including “Sugar Daddy”, “Wicked Little Town”, “Angry Inch”, and “Wig in a Box”. There were also other songs, such as the haunting “Milford Lake” and a new song, “The End of Love” from Mitchell and Task’s new musical, Anthem. The final number was the magnificent “Midnight Radio” from Hedwig that had the audience standing and waving their hands, complementing the lyrics and music of this powerful song.

John Cameron Mitchell was wonderfully supported throughout the show by a terrific band, led by Andrew Warboys, and featuring the stunning Amber Martin as female vocalist and solo singer.

It is, however, the particular charismatic appeal of John Cameron Mitchell, be it as Hedwig or as himself that made this evening seem so special and magical. His rapport with the large Adelaide audience was immediate, warm, and spontaneous. As he admitted, this was the first time had had ever done this show, and had no idea how it would go. He laughed at the fact that he was sometimes getting confused as to who he was on-stage; understandable, as he was performing the songs as Hedwig, and then narrating as himself. He made the audience feel like they were helping create this new show, and they loved it.

This was a very different audience from Patti Lupone the previous evening. These were people who are mainly into rock and roll and punk rock music – ‘rockers’. All around me were people who knew the songs from Hedwig and were singing along and enjoying every second. It did make one pause to think about the inspiration behind Hedwig; how conventional theatre can often be lacking in the sheer raw and theatrical energy that was so wonderfully on display in John Cameron Mitchell and The Origin of Love.

Highly Recommended.

Tony Knight