Having read A Streetcar Named Desire many moons ago, I’ve always had a massive soft spot for the Tennessee Williams classic set in sweaty, sexy New Orleans, but had never managed to see the tale in its original iteration as a play on stage.
Ciaran Bagnall’s set is atmospheric; smoke billows through the railings of the ‘upstairs apartment’ and the downstairs is stark white in contrast to the dark surroundings of the stage around it. We see the Kowalski’s two room apartment (yes, only two rooms!) in all of its messy, gritty glory complete with beer bottles and rumpled bedclothes. The set is angular and dynamic for such a small space.
Over the course of the next three hours the toils and troubles of Blanche DuBois are expelled on stage with impeccable Southern accents and intelligent music and lighting choices. Taking such classics as It’s Only a Paper Moon and playing a more modern rendition helps to give this performance a little extra punch and helps it appeal to a younger audience who may not be familiar with the original too; a bold choice, but the right one.
Stella, who is played by Meghan Tyler is believable as the downtrodden wife blinded by sex and masculinity, whilst Mark Huberman’s Stanley has every ounce of menace that you would expect. However, Blanche is the star of the show through and through – never before have I seen such a believable spiral into madness as I did in Aoibhéann McCann’s performance, and by the end of the night no amount of hot baths and stiff drinks will bring this Southern Belle back from the brink.
A true and literal rendition of the original play with some nice modern touches, Emma Jordan’s direction is absolutely spot on.
A Streetcar Named Desire is on at Belfast’s The Lyric Theatre until 8th June, to find out more information or to book tickets click here.
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