A Streetcar Named Desire

WAAPA Third Year Acting delivers a high quality, traditional production of A Streetcar Named Desire, that had its audience completely absorbed thanks to thoughtful direction and excellent performances.

Emily McLean, guest directing thanks to a grant from the Minderoo Foundation, gave performers and creatives permission to “make it your own”, while remaining loyal to the classic text and keeping traditional timing and setting.

Cameron Rouse creates a captivating Blanche DuBois, with an intelligently crafted descent throughout the show. Playing with great depth, you forget that she is far too young for this role and are convinced of her situation. A tangible sisterly relationship is created with Mia Morrissey as Stella Kowalski, whose conflict between her sister and husband is expertly drawn.

Stanley Kowalski has always been a challenging role, but is particularly difficult in the #metoo climate. Sam Corlett gives Stanley depth and we find we are sympathetic, despite his violence and abuse. Like stablemate production Carousel playing at the Regal, the themes of domestic violence are well handled - and ‘Streetcar’ also shows the talents of fight director Andy Fraser, with convincing interactions.=

James Thomasson gives nuance and thought to the conflicted Harold Mitchell - an interesting contrast to Stanley, and another excellent performance.

Teresa Moore and Jimi Rankin make the most of brief appearances as upstairs neighbours Eunice and Steve, quickly establishing clear characters and having a clear story of their own.

Solid support from classmates Ellen Robson and Mikayla Merks, and welcome guest appearances from First Year Students Darius Williams and Joseph Tanti.
Student creatives also excel in this show. Set designer Ellise Stratton has created a set that gives a wonderful sense of the Kowalski’s home, neighbours and street. Gabrielle Clark’s costuming not only is a beautiful evocation of the era, but uses colour and shade to effect. Lighting is a major theme in the text, and to a certain extent prescribed, but Jasmine Gifford has been creative while remaining loyal to the text. Likewise, the author has given clear indications of the sound, but William Ward’s design is thoughtful and emotive. Nearly forty students contribute in the artistic and production team.

The performance I attended was packed to the brim with school students, who barely moved a muscle during the show, testament to a well-paced, beautifully acted and crafted story.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Jon Green