01 February 2007

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

Tom Wingfield - Ed Stoppard
Amanda Wingfield - Jessica Lange
Laura Wingfield - Amanda Hale
Jim O'Connor - Mark Umbers

Directed by Rupert Gould
Designed by Matthew Wright

seen during it's premature preview period in the beautiful but snooty Apollo, Shaftesbury Avenue


This started it's previews earlier than advertised so tickets were eagerly given and very cheap good seats.(J5)

I didn't think I was going to settle into it too well when Ed Stoppard kicked us off but as it went on.....and as Amanda calmed down a little it because absolutely magical. It's hard not to enjoy Mr T Williams but it's also easy to murder one of his productions. The design was simply but beautiful and it had also been thoughtfully scored. There is a beautiful effect during one of Tom's monologues that must be so simple but I wanted it to last forever. Just sparkling shadows all around the the auditorium and stage but it transported me.

I didn't enjoy Ms Lange until Amanda calmed down but from then on she was magnificent. She has an inner serenity that was eclipsed by the requirement of the role in the first 30 minutes or so.

Amanda Hale gave a stunning performance for someone so young and so fresh from RADA. She'll go straight on my 'one to watch' list. Bless Mr Williams for the female roles have a deal more texture to them than the male but all the cast did well and were well received by the audience.

Celeb in the audience : none spotted by me!