The Glass Menagerie
From Theatre Breaks
Tennessee Williams's touching autobiographical family tale at The Young Vic Theatre in London.
11 November 2010 to 1 January 2011
About The Glass Menagerie
It tells the story of a family in the 1930s and is described by the organisers as Williams's first Broadway success. They remarked: "The subject of this deeply touching, autobiographical play is the most fragile of all human emotions - hope."
During the story, son Tom must deal with his obsessive sister and "overbearing" mother as they each deal with their distinct issues. As well as being treated to the wonderful story by Williams, the whole production is backed by a score composed by Dario Marianelli, who has previously written music for Atonement and Pride and Prejudice, winning an Oscar and Golden Globe for his work.
The play is being staged at the Young Vic
Set in 1930s St Louis, The Glass Menagerie is the story of an endearingly eccentric family. A mother who clings to her memories, a son who is desperate to escape and a daughter imprisoned by her slight disability.
Amanda Wingfield is a faded Southern belle who has lost both her fortune and her husband. She despairs of her son Tom, who is rarely home and her daughter Laura, who is as fragile as the glass animals she collects.
Desperate to find a gentleman caller for Laura, Amanda persuades Tom to bring home an acquaintance from the warehouse where he works. The consequences are disastrous and heartbreaking for the whole family.
Tennessee Williams’ 20th-century American masterpiece receives a stunning new production as part of the Young Vic’s 40th-anniversary season. Set in the 1930s, Tom Wingfield, a young would-be poet, struggles to support his overbearing and sentimental mother Amanda and his delicate, obsessive sister Laura. The subject of this deeply touching, autobiographical play is the most fragile of all human emotions – hope.
THE GLASS MENAGERIE was Williams’ first great Broadway success. It was followed by other Williams’ classics, including A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. This new production is directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, deputy artistic director at the Young Vic, where his acclaimed productions have recently included The Beauty Queen of Leenane.
The superb cast are Deborah Findlay (as Amanda), Sinead Matthews, Leo Bill and Kyle Soller.
Joe Hill-Gibbins (The Girlfriend Experience and A Respectable Wedding) directs Tennessee Williams's early masterpiece.
The play will be set to a score composed by Oscar and Golden Globe-winning Dario Marianelli (Atonement and Pride and Prejudice).
