Streetcar Named Desire

Many thanks for your warm welcome to view your performance of A Streetcar Named Desire a play which I had heard of but never viewed before. It was therefore interesting to read the information including in the programme concerning issues covered in the play.

Your director obviously had a clear vision of how she wanted this piece delivered.  The stage area was well used with each member clearly moving with purpose. Unlike many productions I view this play was not a show to be ‘enjoyed’ in the regular sense but the themes, delivery and outcomes thought about.

It was good to know that you were able to use skills developed from Alex Marker following your NODA Summer school attendance.  The stage was set cleverly with the Kowalski’s apartment on a raised platform with a bricked front and an open-door frame leading into a living room and bedroom filling the majority of the main stage. The living room was split from the bedroom by a dark stage flat with net curtain on a suspended pole. It had a large window which was well lit and covered with a venetian blind. The furniture of table and chairs, wooden storage unit, sink and a pull-out bed was well used by the cast. It was a little disconcerting sitting stage left in the audience watching the players bringing forward various props during the first half.  But after viewing the tall storage unit placed at the back of the stage in the interval I realised where the items were stored. The bedroom contained the bed, dressing table and stool with a door exiting to the bathroom.  The upper doors were effectively reached by steps beside the Kowalski’s door up to two doors fitted in brick covered walls with a balustrade. I thought using the horizontal flat in the apartment was inspired, you imagined a solid wall but could see all the action on stage. The stage apron was  used for scenes on the street and entrances and exits. The personal props were well sourced and used to enhance scenes by the cast members. One small point it would have been a good idea to check the sight lines on stage left. It was a little disconcerting to see light from backstage illuminating members of the cast waiting to go on.

The costumes were carefully sourced, period, well-fitting and appropriate for the scenes. Blanche had numerous outfits which were easily changed on stage although it might have been an idea to adapt the script if the lead asks for ‘her buttons to be done up’ and the dress has a zip.   I would personally have liked to see a white bra but her petticoat looked suitable.

The sound was controlled from the back of the auditorium with excellent sound effects which added meaning to the script. The lighting added mood and darkness to scenes. The choice of music used during the performance added a period feel.

This is an iconic play based in a rundown section of New Orleans that reflects the attitudes and times in which it is set. It contains troublesome issues which were around at the time and covers very gritty and scandalous issues which were sometimes hard to watch.

This story is based around the life of a woman who is unable to face the reality of her life and prefers to live a delusional reality based on a fantasy of her own making. She moves in with her sister and brother-in-law where her expectations are not met. When the true facts of her past come to light and she is raped by her brother-in-law she loses any grip on reality and spirals out of control.

The leading lady in this play is the aging southern belle Blanche DuBois who we learn has through her own mis management lost her family estate called Belle Reve in Laurel Mississippi and had to seek refuge with her sister Stella and her husband.  This is a disturbed and broken character to play and your actor had obviously spent many hours perfecting her lines and delivering them with feeling. She portrayed a range of both physical and emotional scenes with various cast members.  Her love for her sister was evident although she obviously thought her marriage to Stanley who has a Polish-American background was beneath her. This led to many clashes between them the most powerful pushing her over the edge of reality. Her scene with the delivery boy demonstrated her liking for younger men and there was good chemistry initially between her and Mitch. Her accent was fine but her voice was a little piercing and difficult to understand when she was reeling out of control but, this powerful character was well delivered.

The actor depicting Stella Kowalski, Blanche’s sister and Stanley’s wife gave a telling performance of a down trodden abused woman who is besotted with her controlling husband and forgives him anything. She had a lovely accent and was constantly on point when performing, moving confidently around the stage completing her tasks. She showed her love for her sister and distress when she was deceptively helping Blanche get ready for her trip away on her cruise which wasn’t to be.

Stanley Kowalski Stella’s husband has a pivotal role in this play. He was an ex-Master Sergeant from the Army Corps of Engineers, a practical hard-working man who is rough, threatening and in charge in all areas especially in his marriage. He showed animalistic tendency and would control by force anyone who questioned him. He has an antagonistic relationship with Blanche who derides his background and does all he can to find out the truth.  Her abandonment of the family home goes against his Napoleonic code which means his share of the inheritance is zero and leads him to take sex instead. A very chilling and convincing portrayal.

Harold Mitchell ‘Mitch’ is Stanley’s work colleague and poker playing friend who initially appears in the same light as Stanley.  Mitch though is unlike the other poker players he is more sensitive, lives with his dying mother and is hoping to find a woman to marry to take home. But he is not Blanche’s ideal man being sweaty and crude and although they find support, she rejects his sexual advances. He is angry when he learns the truth about her but shows sadness when madness overtakes her. Your actor clearly displayed all the emotions Mitch felt.

Eunice and Steve Hubbei are Stanley and Stella’s friends and neighbours in the apartment block, the players created clear characters and a strong partnership. Eunice often steps in when there are problems in Stella’s life and helps out.  Their relationship is volatile but Eunice is more worldly wise and approaches problems head on.  They often go out in the evening as a group and Steve is one of the poker players.

The final members of the cast all had important parts to play. The Mexican Pablo with his Hispanic accent showed the multi-cultural aspect of the area. He was the final member of the poker game and could be heard making comments during the games. Annalee walked confidently on stage and spoke with feeling. The Delivery Boy displayed his concerns when approached by Blanche.  The doctor and nurse arrive with purpose to escort Blanche to her last residence. Blanche reacted negatively to the nurse but luckily, she thought the doctor was her friend showing her kindness so she went calmly with him.

This was a wordy engrossing piece which covered many disturbing issues and  included some outstanding performances. Many congratulations to all members of your team.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions

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