Avenue Q‘s Foster in Streetcar at Octagon

The Bolton Octagon’s forthcoming production of Tennessee Williams’ classic A Streetcar Named Desire, sees the return of Kieran Hill (Stanley Kowalski) following his recent success in their The Hired Man. He is to be reunited with his co-star from that production, the previously announced Amy Nuttall (as Stella Kowalski). 

Also returning to the Octagon is Huw Higginson (Mitch) – perhaps best known for his role as PC George Garfield in The Bill. Leading the cast in the pivotal role of fading flower Blanche DuBois is former Avenue Q actress Clare Foster. Clare also starred in ITV’s The Bill.

Streetcar earned Williams the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948 and was later made into the film that turned Marlon Brando, cast in the role of Stanley, into a star. The plot follows Blanche DuBois as she arrives unexpectedly on the doorstep of her sister, Stella, in a vibrant corner of post-war New Orleans. A fading Southern belle with apparently refined and delicate sensibilities, Blanche immediately clashes with Stella’s volatile husband Stanley. But when he starts to delve into his sister-in-law’s past, he makes shocking discoveries that set them on a violent collision course.

As the sound of jazz music from the local bars penetrates the night air, Blanche’s hold on reality begins to fade, along with her chances of finding the love she craves.

The play transformed the nature of American theatre in the Twentieth Century and went on to win countless awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Best Drama.  It became an Oscar-winning film that made a superstar out of the previously unknown actor, Marlon Brando.

A Streetcar Named Desire is directed by David Thacker and runs at The Octagon from 16 September – 9 October.