by Ian Diddams
Images by Josie Mae-Ross and Infrogmation
Tennessee Williams’ quasi autobiographical drama “A Streetcar Named Desire” was first performed in 1947 as the world emerged from years of global conflict. That war had changed things for ever in many ways … while in others, many things remained the same. Williams’ own family’s misfortunes and situations are threaded throughout the play, but while those may have been in reality based in the 30s and 40s the issues he raises – of misogyny, bigotry, domestic abuse, violence, homophobia, and social snobbery – are as obvious today as they were almost eighty years ago.
As titles go though, it may well have been simply named “The Fall and Fall…. And Fall of Blanche DuBois”
The eponymous streetcar ran on the line of that name in New Orleans until around the time the play was first performed. Its simple plot is that of Blanche DuBois and her fall from status, grace and finally sanity. Surrounding her is her sister Stella, who abandoned their cocooned life years before, Stella’s husband Stanley, a course, uncultured “Polak,” and their abusive relationship is mirrored by their neighbours Steve and Eunice.
A glimmer of light comes Blanche’s way in the guise of Mitch, seemingly gentler and more appreciative … until he turns, showing his shared heritage with the other men. Blanche descends into madness as her airs and graces so vilified by Stanley slip away to expose her own seedy recent past, and her own bigotries, while exposing the other womenfolk’s tightrope walk through their marriages.
This is not a light play. It would come with plenty of trigger warnings – domestic violence, homophobia, rape, alcohol abuse, to name but a few of them. That the company present these challenging aspects convincingly without descending into casual titillation or merely seeking to shock is tribute to their acting skills, the direction of Heidi Street, and the set and technical wizardry on display.
There is another aspect to heighten the senses, and bring New Orleans’ Latin Quarter into this pleasant eastern suburb of genteel Bath, UK. The show’s very own jazz band of Tom Turner, Peter Tucker and Yvonne Paulley providing the appropriate Louisiana style soundtrack to complete this exquisite holistic production.
Not content with playing clarinet as above, Yvonne also appears as the Nurse and a rose seller with a fine command of Spanish, and in-between those two demands also produced the show. Accompanying her and is another clearly ridiculously talented man, Tom Turner swapping his saxophone to play the Doctor as the stranger whose kindness Blanche, for a final time, relies on. Toby Skelton is another all-rounder who aside from stage managing all of this also appears as the Young Man, while Riza Domi is obviously far more sensible, with just the one role of Pablo, one of Stanley’s poker playing buddies.
Neighbourly Steve and Eunice are subtly portrayed by Tim Carter and Sophie Kerr, all lovey-dovey and lustful – until the pans begin to fly. Tim Hounsome sensitively plays Mitch, Blanche’s almost love interest – until his urges almost overtake him and finally his own prejudices come through. Stella is sympathetically portrayed by the excellent Lauren Arena-McCann who as an American herself – albeit from New York State and not Louisiana also doubled up as unofficial voice coach! Her portrayal of an oppressed wife trapped in a caustic, abusive relationship in which she acquiesces easily to her own lustful urges, while protecting her sister from a world Blanche cannot comprehend is painfully perfect. Matt Rushton delivers Stanley cringingly well too… his physical presence, large voice and overbearing character is full of unspoken menace the entire play; of course, to Stella but also to his drinking and poker buddies who he controls through fear.
Which simply leaves Blanche DuBois. Lucy Upward is the very essence of Southern belle – sophisticated, used to the finer things in life, seeking to move in the right social circles… but exposing the cracks in that edifice as the story unfolds. Delicious flirtatiousness, demure repose, increasing intemperance and the slide into insanity as her Walter Mitty world collapses around her. Lucy captures these airs, moods, and madness perfectly – she IS Blanche DuBois.
The set is a marvel – a perfect setting to portray a cramped two room apartment in the confines of a community theatre. Muslin roman blinds provide discreet views of more intimate – and jarring – moments while the rake of the stalls provides the upstairs flat from Stella and Stanley’s own. Costumes by Chrissie Fry as ever from her, capture the times and characters so well, from Blanche’s diminished trousseau to Stanley’s slobbish attire replete with hideous bowling shirt.
There is false hope, there is pain, there is self-delusion, there is despair. But overall, at the Rondo this week, with a sold out run, there is a Streetcar… named Desire.
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