All aboard: ‘A Streetcar named Desire’ rolls into Ballina
The production of A Streetcar named Desire runs for four nights in Ballina this week, from Thursday to Sunday.
Drama lovers will be delighted to hear that the Riverside Theatre Group returns to the Ballina Arts Centre stage this week with their production of the iconic Tennessee Williams classic,
Few 20th century stage productions have ascended to the iconic status of . The Broadway debut in October 1947, is considered to have launched the careers of Marlon Brando and Jessica Tandy and the latest West End production starred Paul Mescal as Stanley Kowalski.
The play tells the story of fading Southern Belle, Blanche DuBois (Deirdre Horkan), who arrives on the doorstep of her younger sister Stella (Mary LeRoux) in New Orleans. Blanche’s pretensions to virtue and veneer only thinly mask her alcoholism and vulnerable mental state, which she desperately attempts to conceal. Passions flare and cultures collide, as Blanches clashes with reality in the form of her brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski (Rodney O’Donnell).
The setting is New Orleans and audiences familiar with the groups work to date will be delighted to hear that Raymond Traynor returns with his crew to design a set that reflects the intensity of the production.
The drama of the production is played out through occasional scenes that some may find emotionally triggering. Director, Ray Collins, says that he has ‘aimed to consider all themes as delicately and sensitively as possible, while also reflecting the reality of circumstance that some may unfortunately find themselves in’.
The production runs for four nights – this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 7 to 10, at 8pm nightly. Director Ray Collins is very well known in drama circles in the West of Ireland and has previously directed acclaimed and sell-out performances of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ and most recently, ‘The Plough and the Stars’. Those who know him, will know that his productions are not to be missed.
Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment. The performance is suitable over 18s only. For more information or to book tickets call the box office on 096-73593 or book online at www.ballinaartscentre.com.
