NBT 'Streetcar Named Desire' reviews Zengara in reviews Giles in reviews recent NBT reviews

The first act was quite straightforward and I could follow the plot quite easily. Blanche's history, the story of her lost Belle Revé home, a plantation mortgaged to the hilt and lost after the death of her parents, was recounted by "flashback" scenes in which Blanche and her sister Stella (Desirée Samaai) were danced effectively by 'doubles'. The poker scene with Stanley and his mates (including Jeremy Kerridge as Steve) was brilliant, and the "making up" pas de deux between Stanley and his pregnant wife Stella after he had beat her up was one of the most touching bits of the performance.

It was at the start of the second scene that the plot drifted away a bit from the original. Blanche needed the opportunity to tell Mitch (Hirono Takahashi), with whom she envisaged future prospects, the circumstances of her fated marriage. Tennessee Wiiliams' stage notes makes only a passing reference to a fair ground ("They have probably been out to the amusement park..."). Howevere Didy Veldman seizes upon this as an opportunity for a colourful divertissment involving fun-fair ghosts, toffee apples, candy floss (who actually dances on pointe!), tarantula, clowns and Chinese Whispers. Oooh! The tarantula - an allusion to Blanche's secret past was a masterpiece of choreography - it would be a shame to reveal the details here!

The plot soon reverted to type, including the birthday cake made by Stella for Blanche, although Stanley's present for her was a more obvious gift-wrapped packed suitcase rather than the streetcar ticket home in the original.

The closing scenes were true to the play - even the ripping off of the lampshades so that Mitch could see Blanche's real age in good light, and her rape by Stanley when he returned from taking his wife Stella to the hospital after she went into labour. The final climactic scene was the arrival of the doctor and matron to take Blanche away to the madhouse, when ensued a stunning dance for the corps as Blanche foresaw a life confined to a straight jacket.

There are some truly innovative aspects of stage craft in this ballet. At one point I sensed a weakness when Stanly was whispering to Mitch the secrets of Blanche's sordid background as an "exotic" dancer, and I felt that I would have been completely bewildered had I not just read the play. However, through cunning use of semi-translucscent foil, Mitch was able to confront her with her own history, and all became clear. But that is a detail you need to see for yourself.

I am a bit of a fan of Philip Feeney's music, and this was no disappointment. Colourful, musical, eminently danceable to, and yet sinister with rattles and percussive thumps when needed. He also cleverly integrated the jazz and blues stuff, as well as the 'blue piano', so heavily featured in the play. Bravo!

MAN OF THE MATCH

I'm tempted to offer this to the tarantula. But Elizabeth Zengara really stole the show. She is billed as the "Principal Guest Artiste", on loan from BalletMet Columbus, USA. Cor! What a catch! I hope she stays around a bit, she is amazing and beautiful, I could watch her all night!

I felt slightly whistful as I wondered how Jayne Regan would have dealt with the role of Blanche. I bet it would have suited her perfectly.

If you can catch up with NBT before their tour ends in November, I think you will not be disappointed. But if you are not familiar with Tennessee William's play, I heartily recommend reading it first.