Currently showing in the Belltable is 'The Glass Menagerie' by Tennessee Williams.
This was my second time seeing this particular play in this particular theatre and I have to say that this time 'round was a vast improvement.
The staging, the lighting scheme and the beautifully pictorial arrangements of the actors show a creativity and innovation that accentuates Williams' premise; that what we see is 'a memory' evoked from a long distant past. It was quite beautiful to contemplate, as so many memories are.
There were some fine strong performances too, Sean O' Meallaigh was excellent in the central role of writer/narrator Tom Wingfeild, and Ionia Ní Chroinín was exceptional as Laura Wingfeild, ('Shakespeare's sister).
When I saw this play the first time, the character of Amanda was played (truly terribly) by someone one-off-of-the-telly or something, Maria McDermottroes' Amanda was, for me, a vast improvement on that one. Although on Wednesday night she did seem to struggle at times with both accent and delivery.
Over-all, a Tennessee Williams play is only as good as the version you see,
this one's an absolute cracker and well-well worth takin' in.
The Glass Menagerie. prod by Town hall Theatre & Theatrecorp. Directed by Max Hafler.
Maria McDermottroe, Ionia Ní Chroinín,Sean O' Meallaigh and Marcus Lambe.
Set, Mary Doyle. Lighting, Paul Noble.
Ok then, since you're going to sugar coat it I'll tell it like was. It was Bruuutal the first time around. Liam was the only good thing in it and he was only in the second half. Glad it was better the second time.
ReplyDeleteSaw it last night at the Bell. Really liked it.
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