A Streetcar Named Desire. Image via La Boite Theatre Company.
Does a play that was written nearly 70 years ago still have a place in today’s society? From American playwright Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire sees troubled Blanche (Bridie Carter) visit her sister Stella Kowalski (Ngoc Phan) and her husband Stanley (Travis McMahon) in the gritty part of New Orleans.
La Boite’s production features live music composed by Guy Webster and sung by Kristal West. Kristal’s soulful and deep voice complimented the performers in the scene changes and in particular her rendition of Chris Isaac’s Don’t Want to Fall in Love when Blanche and Mitch are having a tender moment.
Sex and violence are the underlying themes but there is so much more to this wonderfully powerful play, including gender inequality; divided loyalties and the fragility of the mind. La Boite utilised its in-the-round seating capability to good effect.
Stage and costume designer, Vilma Mattila, cleverly used the stage. In line with the middle rows of the audience, stairs rose from stage right that lead to a second stage.This became the second storey that doubled as neighbours Steve (Forero) and Eunice’s (Rose’s) apartments and Kristal’s performance space. The main stage was designed to have slightly different levels, possibly representing the power struggles of the characters.
It was an interesting cast choice: with Ngoc Phan and Bridie Carter obviously not related but still managing to create an unmistakeable sisterly bond. Carter at first was difficult to understand as Blanche; not because of the southern drawl but she spoke so quickly, running over her words. But this added to her character as Blanche as she suffered from ‘her nerves’. Bridie Carter was Blanche Du Boise. In her mainstream debut, Ngoc Phan shone as Stella. Whatever was not said vocally was broadcast in the subtlest of facial expressions; the last scene was particularly harrowing when a choice had to be made between Stanley and Blanche. Theatre is created to unleash emotions that may not get a chance to boil to the surface and Carter and Phan did just that. Travis McMahon was a change from previous portrayals of dark-haired Stanley. McMahon’s Stanley was just trying to be a good husband to Stella but when he experiences first hand of what Blanche is like as a woman, with her airs and graces, flirty nature and her excessive drinking.Stanley could not fathom that his wife’s loyalty was so divided between him and her sister. Travis portrayed the resentment and anger of Stanley raising his voice, trying to get Stella into line when they are celebrating Blanche’s birthday by smashing plates and shouting ‘I am king around here.’
Colin Smith as Mitch starts out as one of the loud, beer-drinking boys playing poker, but after meeting Blanche his true colours showed him to be the opposite of Stanley, gentle and compassionate. The acting was not a stand-out performance but was convincing in his portrayal.
Playful Eunice Hubbell (Parmis Rose) along with her larrikin husband, Steve (Alexander Forero) broke the tension. For a small role Parmis played a great character with guts and grit; no one was going to mess with her.
This play has been produced and performed many times over the years but this production is a stand- out, even if you have seen numerous productions of it before. So does A Streetcar Named Desire still have a place in today’s society? Yes it does. In a day in which mental illness is still hardly understood, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ is as relevant today as it was in Williams’ heyday. La Boite has put together a performance that will stay with you long after the actors have left the space.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
A Streetcar Named Desire
by Tennessee Williams
Director: Todd McDonald
Lighting: Ben Hughes
Set & Costumes: Vilma Mattila
Sound: Guy Webster
Cast: Bridie Carter (Blanche Du Bois)
Travis McMahon (Stanley Kowalski)
Ngoc Phan (Stella Kowalski)
Colin Smith (Harold “Mitch” Mitchell)
Alexander Forero (Steve Hubbell/flower seller)
Parmis Rose (Euince Hubbell)
Kristal West (Singer/Nurse)
La Boite Theatre Company
15 October – 12 November 2016
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