A Streetcar Named Desire in Never too Late to Read Classics

Jan 08, 2021 Chrissie rated it really liked it

Shelves: audible-plus-us, southern, lgtb, classics, free, philo-psychol, usa, 2021-read, drama, relationships

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the play’s performance at Williamstown Theatre Festival was cancelled. Instead, solely an audiobook, directed by Robert O'Hara, was produced,

Blanche DuBois is played by Audra McDonald.
Stella Kowalski is played by Carla Gugino.
Stanley Kowalski is played by Ariel Shafir.

These three are the most important of the numerous voice actors taking part in the performance. I am totally satisfied with the perfor Free for Audible-Plus Members.
Grab it, while it remains available!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the play’s performance at Williamstown Theatre Festival was cancelled. Instead, solely an audiobook, directed by Robert O'Hara, was produced,

Blanche DuBois is played by Audra McDonald.
Stella Kowalski is played by Carla Gugino.
Stanley Kowalski is played by Ariel Shafir.

These three are the most important of the numerous voice actors taking part in the performance. I am totally satisfied with the performance of all three. There are sound effects, which I have for the most part enjoyed, until the end when the background clamor becomes excessive, too prominent and too lengthy. I particularly like Audra McDonald’s narration, but all parts are well performed. I am awarding the audio performance four stars. I recommend listening to this rather than reading the script in a book.

At the audiobook's end is an interview with the director. He explains what he wished to achieve with this production. Don't skip it; it’s good and correctly placed.

The story takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana. Stella and her husband Stanley are visited by Blanche, Stella’s younger sister. She appears unannounced. Clearly, she is in trouble, but an ingrained fibber, all that she says must be taken with a grain of salt. Stella is happy to see her, at least at the start. Stanley is of another mind. He only wants to know how she has come to lose possession of the family’s Mississippi plantation.

As a drama, each production will be somewhat different. The focus is here placed on the two sisters, Blanche and Stella. Other performances have instead looked primarily at Stanley, Stella’s self-centered, violent, abusive and chauvinistic husband. How women are treated by society, men and family is one theme. Addiction is another. Mental illness and sexuality should be added to the list of themes covered. It is particularly interesting to compare Stella’s and Blanche’s very different attitudes toward sex.

This is by no means and easy listen. Brawls and screaming, excessive drinking, physical, sexual and psychological abuse play out before our eyes. We visually perceive what is rendered via our ears. The violence is palpable. To fully partake of the story is to throw oneself into the emotional turmoil of the tale. We are told in the audiobook’s concluding interview: “To emotionally participate costs.” I wholeheartedly agree. I am not looking for an easy ride!

One more thing—the lines are superb. ...more

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Apr 07, 2017 Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: american-fiction, audio-books, fiction-20th-century, read-2017, play, pulitzer-prize, book-and-movie, drama

From BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3:
Anne Marie Duff leads a stellar cast in a new landmark production of Tennessee Williams's iconic play, telling the story of a catastrophic confrontation between fantasy and reality, embodied in the characters of Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski.

Blanche DuBois arrives unexpectedly on the doorstep of her sister Stella and her explosive brother-in-law Stanley. Over the course of one hot and steamy New Orleans summer, Blanche's fragile façade slowly crumbles, wreakin ...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Lisa rated it liked it · review of another edition

An extremely quick read that I enjoyed. I suspect that after some reflection I will change my rating to 4 stars. I have only sympathy for Blanche and contempt for Stanley and Stella. Way to sell your sister down the river!

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