THEATRE REVIEW: A Streetcar Named Desire ★★★★

A Streetcar Named Desire
Warwick Arts Centre
11th November 2014

The first time I watched 'A Streetcar Named Desire', was earlier this year as part of National Theatre Live, which starred Gillian Anderson. At first I was unsure whether I wanted to watch the production again, but with this adaption from a different company, cast and crew, It felt like a brand new story, even though the lines were still the same, and I think this is because the way that they showed and brought this production to life was an interesting concept. The stage is set out bare, with only white walls around, meaning no set, but just two hanging lights and a ladder on one side.

This adaption brought a great array of music along with it. I loved the way that even though two characters may have been communicating with each other, the way that the actors would face the audience during this felt very intimate for us as the audience, and felt like a brilliant way to keep us hooked, which almost makes you feel apart of the play, and that the characters were acknowledging us right the way throughout.

The talent of stage from all the young performers were realistic, and they all had brilliant energy and chemistry with each other. You could hear silence in the audience as some of the more serious topics were talked about, and with the beating of Stella from Stanley in the first act felt really powerful. This does not alter either I'm the second act, were, if possible, with the subject matters being displayed on stage, the atmosphere tenses more and I could just see the audience members in front of me so engaged in Blanche's past, and Stanley's mood swings.

I should also say here how powerful I felt the rape scene with Stanley and Blanche, as for a good two minutes following, the audience were bound to silence, and the movement on stage was minimal, leading into the final scene, with the only fluid movement coming from Stella, taping up Blanche's large case she entered with at the beginning of the production. Just watching Nadia's performance escalate to that final scene was Awe-inspiring, not being able take your eyes of her, almost forgetting that everyone else who was on stage, static, and dotted around the set, were even there.