Took a trip to the National Theatre yesterday to see Tennessee Williams's The Rose Tattoo. I studied A Street Car
As a sickly child Williams spent a lot of time being nursed by female relatives and this has obviously influenced his writing and the female characters in many of his. Women often dominate the story lines and the Rose Tattoo is no exception.
Zoe Wanamaker plays the lead, Serafina Della Rosa an Italian immigrant living in the deep south. Losing her beloved husband in a road accident she struggles with widowhood, wallowing in her grief and worshipping the memory of her Rosario, while reluctant to allow her maturing daughter to go out and experience love for herself.
The discovery of Rosario's infidelity understandably rocks her world further but ultimately unlocks the door so she can finally move on.
There is much humour and warmth in this play and ultimately it is about love.
Wanamaker plays the passionate, exuberant and over-dramatic Italian matriarch with aplomb. In fact it was a joy to watch such a professional and accomplished performance. She must have given it her all because she looked visibly exhausted at the curtain call.
Praise must also go to new-comer Susannah Fielding making her West End debut as daughter Rosa.
Overall a thoroughly entertaining and engaging evening.
And I must just comment on the NT. Prince Charles described the complex as a carbuncle but I'm growing to love it and certainly it's Olivier Theatre (I haven't been to performances at the other two within the complex) is well-designed with a large performance space, comfortable and spacious seating. Although charming, London's older theatres seem pokey and claustrophobic by contrast.