THEATRE: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Based on the 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, coming after the 1951 cinematic adaptation that scooped an Academy Award, and now starring Hollywood success story, all-round golden girl – ‘our Cate’ – this production carries a deadweight of expectations. Does it sink? You will not be disappointed. Cate Blanchett, as Blanche DuBois, is both electric and sadly doll-like. Joel Edgerton as the ‘ape’ Stanley Kowalski is surprisingly convincing. The silk shirts are there, the plummy twang of New Orleans too, the sweltering, claustrophobic heat of a city clenched firmly in its own time and place. Mitch, the dufus do-gooder, Stella, the sex-crazed young sister all turn up, like old friends. But that’s just it. Everything chimes true. A little too true – increasingly, you begin to suspect that you have seen this all before. And you have, of course – this is a classic. But just like Blanche, this remake feels like a relic of the past. So, you will not be let down, but neither will you be fired up.
Until Oct 17, Sydney Theatre Company, Hicks Rd, Walsh Bay, from $75 (currently sold out, but check from 11am on day of performance), 9250 1777 or sydneytheatre.com.au
