A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Edinburgh to 16 March.

Edinburgh

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
by Tennessee Willaims

Royal Lyceum Theatre To 16 March 2002
Tues-Sat 7.45. Matinees 2.30 Sun 3 March 2.30
Runs 3hr One interval

TICKETS 0131 248 4848
Review Thelma Good 23 February

Jennifer Black is now my definitive BlancheBlack is a wonderful Blanche, brittle and nervy while Cora Bissett as her younger sister Stella, freshfaced and bobby-soxed shines with love for husband Stanley. The sisters' scenes together excel in this production which follows closely William's stage direction and has live music and vocals. It's the men who are weaker. Paul Hamilton, usually spot on, fails to make Stanley as easy in his skin as he should be.

As Mitch, Blanche's uncertain suitor, Bob Barrett undermines his portrayal with a southern accent more cockney than Spanish moss. Of the male members of the cast, Ben Clifford, as the Young Collector stands out in his one scene. Jennifer Black is now my definitive Blanche; from the moment she gets off the streetcar she gives everything one can desire, making fresh and urgent a play made familiar on film with Vivien Leigh.

Intensity is the key to Muriel Romanes's direction, which makes Williams' text both familiar and strikingly new, making for a delicious shock as the scene resonates with phrases which have past into our culture - "I am just passing through", and "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers".

Saul Radomsky's set design has walls suggested then dissolving under light, emphasising how in Stella and Stanley's neighbourhood, Elysian Fields, New Orleans, everything seeps away, even private things. Well tuned along with the music is the lighting including very real looking lightning, cerise-purple outlines of live musicians back lit and the hot, strongly coloured sky of Louisiana.

Blanche: Jennifer Black
Stanley: Paul Hamilton
Stella: Cora Bissett
Mitch: Bob Barrett
Eunice: Andrea Gibb
Steve: Ronnie Simon
Pablo: Iain Johnstone
Doctor: Nick Farr
Matron: Noreen Leighton
Mexican Woman: Stephanie Turner
Young Collector: Ben Clifford

Director: Muriel Romanes
Designer: Saul Radomsky
Lighting: Jeanine Davies
Music Director: Iain Johnstone

2002-02-27 00:47:05