Up until recently, Googling ‘Paul Mescal’ and ‘desire’ would likely to have landed you neck-deep in some, shall we say colourful fan-fiction.
But forget about Normal People, Connell, and his chain for a moment, if you can, because over the past few weeks Mescal has brought his brooding presence, his rippling torso, and his considerable acting prowess to A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennessee Williams’ masterful tale of fear and loathing in New Orleans – in a production at the Almeida Theatre in Islington.
Naturally, it sold out almost immediately.
So it’s extremely good news for anyone who’d like another shot of Mescal that the production is transferring to the West End for a limited second run this Spring. The entire production will be upping sticks and landing at the Phoenix Theatre on Charing Cross Road from 20th March – 29th April.
Marc Brenner
Mescal will once more be stepping into the shoes (and, crucially, vest) of Stanley Kowalski, that melting-pot of enraged and agonised masculinity which immediately made a young Marlon Brando one of the most desired humans in the known universe. But he’s just one of many fantastic things about Rebecca Frecknall’s production (whose acclaimed take on Tennessee Williams’ Summer And Smoke also transferred to the West End back in 2018 – plus, she directed the current barnstorming production of Cabaret). Opposite Mescal, in the equally-iconic role of fragile Southern Belle fantasist Blanche DuBois, is the eminently watchable Patsy Ferran (who stepped in to replace an injured Lydia Wilson), whilst Anjana Vasan, of C4’s brilliant Lady Parts, plays a wonderfully empathetic Stella (Stella!!!!), Stanley’s wife. They all prowl around a sparse but powerful set, the oppressive heat and tension drummed up (literally) by a live percussion soundtrack.
Tickets for Streetcar’s West End transfer go on sale this Wednesday 1st February, and are likely to be hotter than a summer in the New Orleans French Quarter when you’re sharing a small apartment with your younger sister and her new husband (say). So book yourself a ticket, post-haste…
…and don’t depend on the kindness of strangers.
NOTE: A Streetcar Named Desire transfers to the Phoenix Theatre from 20th March – 29th April 2023. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 1st February at 10am (though ATG Members get early access) and will start at £15 – book yours here.
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