Shanghai’s East West Theatre prepares to steam up stages with their production of Tennessee William’s sexually electrifying play A Streetcar Named Desire from September 11-14 at the Pearl. Director Christie Shapiro breaks down their adaptation.
On the biggest challenge thus far...
Getting people together. It’s extremely difficult because everyone also works day jobs so choosing the right time is tough. But, all things considered when you do find the right cast you are going to bend over backwards for them.
On their production’s differences...
The life the actors breathe into their characters and the chemistry they share makes it different. We also plan to recreate a more immersive New Orleans setting by using the floor, side spaces and balconies alongside the stage. Williams’s stage directions are so colorful and vivid that I’d feel like I was missing something if I didn’t stick with them.
On her favorite part of the play...
Whether we admit it, all of us are attracted to Stanley. Williams says, “animal joy is in his being,” and when you watch that you understand why Stella and Blanche are so attracted to him despite his brutish nature. That truth is always relatable. A lot of what makes that successful is the characters’ ages, they are all so sexed-up.
On the show's casting...
I knew I wanted to cast Natasha Portwod (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Doubt) as Blanche since I started working with her. When she said yes I basically casted everyone around her, finding people who have chemistry with her.
On the show’s comedic touches...
The scenes between Mitch and Blanche, until he dumps her, are quite comedic. When Mitch talks of how he lifts weights, for example... it’s hysterical.
On her personal connection to the play...
I have a cousin like Blanche. She’s awkward around men, overly flirtatious, but also really insecure and that’s who Blanche is. She wants so much to connect and be loved by people. She puts on this air of magic, turning phrases and telling beautiful stories you really do want to believe, but can’t. We all know people similar to the characters.
// September 11-14, 18-21, 7.30pm, RMB150-200. The Pearl, (182 0216 4553, east.west.info@gmail.com)
Photo by Sara Martinez Sanz
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We have a pair of tickets to Streetcar to giveaway. Simply e-mail win@urbanatomy.com with the subject ‘Streetcar’ by September 8 for a chance to win.
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