Review: The Glass Menagerie
April 15, 2008
Venue: The Royal Exchange
Date Reviewed: 15th April 2008
Tennessee Williams‘ The Glass Menagerie was revived last year in the West End to critical acclaim. I was lucky enough to see Robert Gould’s stunning staging of this classic. Jessica Lange’s Amanda Whigfield was a pretty but lonely Southern belle who resorted to coquettish charms to find her daughter a husband.
Here, Brenda Blethyn plays the role differently, bringing out the comedy and the pathos, with ease. It is a thrill to see this brilliant actress grace a stage in the North, but this is a far from simply being a star vehicle.
Braham Murray captures the biographical nature of this claustrophobic drama, perfectly. Mark Arends‘ Tom Whigfield is essentially Williams; a would-be writer, frustrated by his mundane factory job and his over-bearing mother, Amanda. The only positive influence in his life is his sweet, but sick sister, Laura (played by Emma Hamilton).
Blethyn’s Amanda is like a fading starlet, constantly referring to the past, controlling her two children, like a ringmaster in a circus. She holds court daily, as Tom and Laura sit trapped, like caged animals. Tom is stunted by his intelligence, as it goes unrecognised at work and at home. His ill sister silently stares at her prized glass menagerie of animals, whilst listening to her gramophone records, drifting off into a world of her own.
Amanda longs for her daughter to be married off and once Tom arranges for a friend to visit, she is no longer ‘wilted’. Rejuvenated, she has the chance to charm the gentleman caller, in the hope that he will become a beau for her isolated daughter.
This fascinating character study remains as enduring as it did in 1944. It is a true classic in every sense of the word, but it can become a Southern pot boiler; slow burning with overacted mannerisms, if not attempted subtly enough.
Here, though Murray directs with restraint, meaning that each scene has far more resonance as a result. He has assembled a fine cast who work incredibly well together. Arends is a commanding performer, narrating the story and controlling the lighting with one click of his finger, yet his Tom becomes a child in his mother’s company. This excellent actor delivers a brilliant performance, by underplaying throughout.
Likewise, Hamilton could so easily play the role in a melodramatic fashion, but she portrays her character’s inner pain beautifully. Watching her come to life, in the company of Jim O’Connor; the gentleman caller is beautiful to watch, yet ultimately heartbreaking, due to her terrific turn.
Andrew Langtree charms Laura and the audience as the answer to Amanda’s prayers.
Blethyn is a joy to watch as the controlling, Amanda Whigfield. But she does not play her as a monster; you do believe that this mother cares deeply for her children. Her interplay with her stage son and daughter is totally believable, as she is such an unselfish performer.
Peter Rice’s stunning sound effects provide the piece with several jolts to the system, as the family become like the glass animals that Laura adores; still, silent and dream-like.
Simply Superb!
-Glenn Meads
Comments
-
Recent Posts
Advertisement
Other Regional Sites
