A Streetcar Named Desire – Trinity Players
Streetly Community Centre
Monday 25th September 2023 – Dress Rehearsal
By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Nigel Gambles Photography
A Streetcar Named Desire was written By Tennessee Williams and is one of the most critically acclaimed plays of the 20th century.
The play portrays the experiences of Blanche DuBois a former southern belle who after a series of personal losses has to move into a small apartment with her younger sister Stella and brutish brother in law Stanley and displays the phases of Blanches disintegration.
I have to say from the start, this is a superb production and is a first for Trinity Players as it is self directed by the cast who take on the roles of the production team off stage as well as having to learn their stage roles. To say the passion and commitment they have put into this project is anything less than 110% would be totally disrespectful.
Jennifer Holyhead who plays Blanche is magnificent, the evening belongs to her and her portrayal of Blanche’s spiralling into a mental collapse is spectacular. Arron Armstrong-Craddock who plays Stanley is a terrific tattooed bruiser who roars like a goaded bull. He is, as he should be, both bullying – “I’m king around here” – and magnetic. As Stella, Sasha Marsh is totally besotted, in desire for her husband, and blind to his brutality. Dan Barnes who plays Mitch, Blanches suitor who offers her a glimpse of hope and a possible future, with a good mixture of charm and defeat. Quick mention for the rest of the cast who deliver strong and passionate performances.
If you do not have tickets for this show, then you must definitely get some it is one not too be missed a brilliant portrayal of hope and despair.
