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ash_schroeder27's review against another edition
4.0
I read this play with my advanced theatre class. I mostly read for Amanda. With such a small cast, I love the interactions between all the different characters. The scene between Amanda and Tom when they are arguing and overlapping is one of my favorites. I, unfortunately, didn't get to read for that part as much as I wanted to.
Amanda is one of my favorite characters in this play. She's 'that' mom who is overbearing and attempting to relive her youth through her kids. She's not always very PC (given this play takes place in the 20s), but she is still such an interesting character. I enjoyed reading for her because her lines are probably some of the funnier ones. She is so in her own world and I just love that.
Tennessee Williams' writing makes me laugh. The characters are great and the actual dialogue is fantastic, but the STAGE DIRECTIONS OH MY GOD! They're SO specific that, as an actor myself, you just read it and think HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO RECREATE THE STARRINESS IN MY EYES ON STAGE! (Ex. Something has happened to AMANDA. It is written in her face as she climbs to the landing: a look that is grim and hopeless and a little absurd.) LIKE WHAT!
Personally, I hate the legends that are supposed to be displayed across the stage throughout the play. I know they were a big thing at the time because it was new and not done before, but in more modern theatre, I think the play can really do without things like 'BLUE ROSES' and 'THE CRUST OF HUMILITY' LIKE PARDON!? Any who, if I were personally directing this show, I would do away with the legends because I feel like it is PUSHING the themes down an audiences' throat instead of having them see it for themselves through the acting and play itself or leaving parts of it up to interpretation.
*SPOILER BELOW*
I really pity Laura throughout the whole thing, but especially at the end with Jim the 'Gentleman Caller'.
Amanda is one of my favorite characters in this play. She's 'that' mom who is overbearing and attempting to relive her youth through her kids. She's not always very PC (given this play takes place in the 20s), but she is still such an interesting character. I enjoyed reading for her because her lines are probably some of the funnier ones. She is so in her own world and I just love that.
Tennessee Williams' writing makes me laugh. The characters are great and the actual dialogue is fantastic, but the STAGE DIRECTIONS OH MY GOD! They're SO specific that, as an actor myself, you just read it and think HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO RECREATE THE STARRINESS IN MY EYES ON STAGE! (Ex. Something has happened to AMANDA. It is written in her face as she climbs to the landing: a look that is grim and hopeless and a little absurd.) LIKE WHAT!
Personally, I hate the legends that are supposed to be displayed across the stage throughout the play. I know they were a big thing at the time because it was new and not done before, but in more modern theatre, I think the play can really do without things like 'BLUE ROSES' and 'THE CRUST OF HUMILITY' LIKE PARDON!? Any who, if I were personally directing this show, I would do away with the legends because I feel like it is PUSHING the themes down an audiences' throat instead of having them see it for themselves through the acting and play itself or leaving parts of it up to interpretation.
*SPOILER BELOW*
I really pity Laura throughout the whole thing, but especially at the end with Jim the 'Gentleman Caller'.
aoibheann's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
cjones16's review against another edition
4.0
Such an interesting example of plastic theatre, and one I'd now love to see performed.
micheleamar's review against another edition
4.0
do you enjoy really uncomfortable dinners with your family where you aren't really sure how to talk to each other because one second you're having a semi-normal conversation and the next, you're all yelling at each other? well, boy do i have the play for you!
hjswinford's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, ouch. What a very sad little story. I wasn't sure I was going to be into it at first, though the "memory" set up at the beginning was really interesting. But then that little unicorn broke and poor little Laura broke, as well.
leahryan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
willow_garden_3697's review against another edition
4.0
Most of the plays I've read have been for school, and I haven't really enjoyed them very much. However, I found this one interesting, and some of the themes relate-able. The playwright's choice to make this a memory play helped add interest for me. The family dynamics and character personalities sometimes seem extreme and unreal, yet in reality not all that far-fetched
cellardoor10's review against another edition
3.0
I don't think I really understood this one, it didn't really seem to resonate.
markfromct's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0