A Streetcar Named Desire – REVIEW

Arts & Entertainment Stage

Rita Bratovich
April 17, 2023

Image: Ali Bendall as Stella and Georgia Britt as Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Genesian Theatre. Image: Luke Holland

Tennessee Williams is one of America’s most revered writers; he produced a handful of enduring, seminal works among which A Streetcar Named Desire stands out.

The Pulitzer-winning play, written in 1948, still sizzles with tension, still echoes true today. The Genesian Theatre’s current production is an homage to the original text – simple, powerful, engrossing.

Georgia Britt as Blanche and Riley McNamara as Stanley in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Genesian Theatre. Image: Luke Holland

In a departure from convention, the curtain is up as audience members walk into the tiny theatre, and there are actors on stage improvising conversation. This allows early-comers a chance to peruse and appreciate the clever and detailed set designed by Soham Apte.

The stage is effectively divided into three spaces: to the left is an outside staircase leading up to Eunice (Rosy Daly) and Steve’s (Patrick Gallagher) apartment (which is offstage); a very small kitchen at centre; and a very small bedroom at right, with a door in the back corner that is supposed to lead to a bathroom.

Ali Bendall as Stella and Riley McNamara as Stanley in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Genesian Theatre. Image: Luke Holland

Ali Bendall and Riley McNamara as Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Genesian Theatre. Image: Luke Holland

Matthew Doherty as Mitch and Georgia Britt as Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Genesian Theatre. Image: Luke Holland

This contained set helps give a very real impression of the claustrophobic living conditions and lifestyle experienced by the people in this urban neighbourhood in the US south.

The apartment featured belongs to Stella (Ali Bendall) and Stanley Kowalksi (Riley McNamara) a married couple on a modest income expecting their first child.

Stella’s sister, Blanche DuBois (Georgia Britt) unexpectedly shows up at the apartment, suitcase in hand, hoping she can stay with Stella for a little while. But Blanche is a hurricane of pretentions, vanity, snobbery and shameless self-indulgence and she leaves a path of destruction where ever she blows.

Georgia Britt as Blanche and Rosy Daly as Eunice in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Genesian Theatre. Image: Luke Holland

Williams’ play is jarring with its overt misogyny and domestic violence. The characters are all flawed in their own way, and also victims in their own way. It’s a story that is neither redemptive nor resolved, although there is a strong arc and a sense of completion.

Britt demonstrates emotional range and stamina in the very challenging role of Blanche. McNamara is convincing as the swaggering, bullish Stanley. It’s hard not to feel sympathy for Bendall’s naïve, ever optimistic Stella. Rosy Daly’s head-strong, matronly Eunice is also worth mention, as is Matthew Doherty as the hapless, love-struck Mitch.

Georgia Britt as Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Genesian Theatre. Image: Luke Holland

Genesian veteran, Tom Massey, directs Streetcar with a masterful hand – and even makes an uncredited appearance. Though listed as assistant director, Meg Girdler’s input is significant and her imprint on the production deserves equal praise.

A classic play that’s worth revisiting via this production.