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Published On: Fri, Sep 19th, 2014

‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ review: Gillian Anderson headlines a ‘captivating’ event

Broadcast live from the Young Vic theater in the UK, presented across the globe via Fathom Events,  A Streetcar Named Desire with Gillian Anderson, Ben Foster and Vanessa Kirby, was truly amazing.

The stage was built on a revolving floor in an intimate theater. The audience is submerged in the journey in front of them, quite literally, from all angles. We see a simple apartment with two rooms, a kitchen & living room/bedroom divided by a sheer white curtain and a bathroom. There are stairs outside the front door that lead to the second floor.

A Streetcar Named Desire banner Vanessa Kirby Gillian Anderson Ben FosterTennessee Williams’ classic play unfolds in the humble apartment just off a streetcar route in New Orleans. Out of choices and out of luck, Blanche DuBois (Gillian Anderson) takes the streetcars in search of her sister Stella (Vanessa Kirby). She arrives with a weak claim that her nerves led her to a leave of absence from her teaching role. A story that doesn’t ring true from the beginning. We learn that boozing, death and prostitution have slowing eaten away her youth.

It is common for people to have defining moments in their life, everyone does. Perhaps unrecognized in at the time, in reflection these occasions stand out as pivot points in a life; a crossroad where forward or lateral motion is defined. Some people become stuck in that moment, Blanche never recovered from hers. As the false veneer that holds her together begins to crack we live the descent into her breaking point.

Ben Foster as Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire"

Ben Foster as Stanley Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire”

Stella’s love for her sister Blanche is stretched to the very brink of as Blanche steps across the line between troubled and disturbed. Her love for her husband Stanley (Ben Foster) is tested as he struggles between being a supportive husband and a growing dislike for the discontent his wife’s sister has brought into their lives.

Directed by Benedict Andrews, this play was captivating!

Scene changes with jarring chords thread the classic lines (“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”) together perfectly.

As the climax arrives, when Blanch reveals to her beau Mitch, and the audience, her defining moment. Hearts break with hers as she relives the incomprehensible realization that the husband she dearly loved was homosexual. In desperation she told him “”I saw! I know! You disgust me…”. He runs from the room and before she knows what is happening a shot is fired; he takes his life.

The performances were incredible, the stagecraft was engaging and intricate – truly a magnificent event.

A Streetcar Named Desire receives 5 out of 5 stars!

The full presser has even more details – check it out HERE

There are a ton of events coming through Fathom Events:

75th Anniversary Screening of Gone With the Wind – more info HERE

UnFair: Exposing the IRS Documentary comes in October (Press release) Ticket/Showtime info HERE

Benedict Cumberbatch, Jonny Lee Miller co-star in Frankenstein (Press release) Ticket/Showtime info HERE

James Franco, Chris O’Dowd star in Of Mice and Men  (Press release) Ticket/Showtime info HERE

There also a ton of amazing events from the Royal Opera House and The Met

More info, full schedule: http://www.fathomevents.com/

 

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