"A Streetcar Named Desire" production in The Playhouse - Review

"A Streetcar Named Desire"

a production by 

Carmel McCafferty School of Drama

'A Streetcar Named Desire' by Tennessee Williams is perhaps most widely known through the film adaption starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh. The play tells the story of an aging woman, Blanche DuBois, who seeks solace in her sister Stella and Stella's husband, Stanley.

   Streetcar itself is an incredibly difficult play to produce, which initially shocked me when I realised the cast's young age, although stepping into the theatre, the initial feeling I got from the stage was not one of an amateur dramatic company. 

The play employs a sort of reverse-chronology, ironically beginning with the famous final scene, during which Blanche states she has always "..depended on the kindness of strangers." The play then skips back to the arrival of Blanche to Elysian Fields in New Orleans, and the play resumed as normal - presenting a turbulent roller coaster as we throttled towards the inevitable ending. 

The actress portraying Blanche done so excellently, there was the oh-so memorable ditziness if you will that she captured perfectly in Blanche's character. It is notable to add, despite the strength of the leading roles, there was some inconsistency in the supporting. There seemed to be a difficulty to maintain the correct dialect at points, and a few moments that don't appear as well glued together as the rest, although that is too high expectations for a drama group comprised of fourteen to eighteen year olds. 

Despite this, it was a good production of a very difficult play, especially so considering the drama group itself. It was most definitely worth the money, and put a very unique spin on the unforgettable. 

02/03/2014