A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams is a classic play that delves into the lives of the characters, particularly focusing on the complex relationships between Blanche DuBois, Stella, and Stanley Kowalski. The story unfolds in New Orleans, showcasing themes of class differences, domestic violence, mental health, and the struggle for power. Williams skillfully portrays the gradual unraveling of Blanche's facade of decorum, leading to a tragic climax that explores the darker aspects of human nature. The play is known for its vivid characterizations, intense dialogue, and symbolic use of settings and music to create a raw and dramatic atmosphere.
The play is praised for its depth of characters, particularly the juxtaposition between the primal nature of Stanley and Blanche's desire for beauty. Williams masterfully weaves tension and dramatic intensity throughout the narrative, utilizing symbols and settings to keep the audience engaged. The complex relationships, moral dilemmas, and exploration of societal taboos make A Streetcar Named Desire a compelling and thought-provoking piece that continues to resonate with readers and audiences.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include mental illness, domestic violence, implied sexual assault, emotional abuse, and substance abuse.
Has Romance?
There is a medium presence of romance, particularly through Blanche's interactions and hopes for relationships, especially with Mitch.
From The Publisher:
Anne-Marie Duff stars as Blanche DuBois in BBC Radio 3's landmark production of Tennessee Williams' masterpiece
Tennessee Williams's iconic play tells the story of a catastrophic confrontation between fantasy and reality, embodied in the characters of Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski.
Blanche DuBois arrives unexpectedly on the doorstep of her sister Stella and her explosive brother-in-law Stanley. Over the course of one hot and steamy New Orleans summer, Blanche's fragile façade slowly crumbles, wreaking havoc on Stella and Stanley's already turbulent relationship…
Embodying the turmoil and drama of a changing nation, A Streetcar Named Desire strips Williams's tortured characters of their illusions, leaving a wake of destruction in their path.
Tennessee Williams's 1947 drama is one of the most loved and well-known stage plays of the 20th century. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award in 1948, and the 1951 film adaptation picked up four Oscars. In this compelling radio dramatisation, Blanche is played by Olivier Award-winning actress Anne-Marie Duff, with a stellar cast including Matthew Needham as Stanley and Pippa Bennett-Warner as Stella.
Cast:
Blanche: Anne-Marie Duff
Stella: Pippa Bennett-Warner
Stanley: Matthew Needham
Mitch: John Heffernan
Steve: David Sturzaker
Eunice: Sarah Ridgeway
Pablo: John Dougal
Mexican Woman: Leila Arias
Collector: Tom Forrister
Nurse: Georgie Glen
Dramatised by Sarah Churchwell
Produced and directed by Sasha Yevtushenko
Ratings (29)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (11) | |
Liked It (8) | |
It Was OK (5) | |
Did Not Like (1) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (47):
Read It (33) | |
Want To Read (11) | |
Not Interested (3) |
1 comment(s)
It was okay. Quick enough read and well written, just didn't grab me.
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A Streetcar Named Desire?
About the Author:
Tennessee Williams (Thomas Lanier Williams) was born in 1911 in Mississippi where he was brought up before moving to St Louis. He studied at the Universities of Washington and Iowa, and in New York while embarking on a career as a playwright. He achieved popular and critical success with many of his plays including The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He also wrote a novella, and some collections of poems and short stories. His Memoirs appeared in 1975. He died in 1983.
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