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London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast

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London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast

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EricMontreal22
#1London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 3:19am

Did anyone else see it? I'd love to have a discussion about it...

The Other One
#2London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 7:17am

I missed the sense of time and place, and I agree that the musical interludes between scenes were jarring. I think of this as a downtown production done on a larger scale. It was daring and risky, but for every revelation gained there was something, perhaps a point of specificity, lost.

I have always loved Gillian Anderson and I don't know if anyone has ever been better at walking the line between Blanche's outer confidence and inner frailty, but her colorless voice wore me out well before Act One ended. Unfortunate, because physically her performance is stunning. The dazzling highs and disappointing low of her work each in its way defied expectations.

Yes, she was often stuck behind a pillar in a pivotal moment as the camera rotated, but a sense of swirling, engulfing chaos, of what this gold-fish bowl life felt like for Blanche, Stanley and Stella, was heightened. I'd call it a gimmick in which things were both lost and gained. I felt that way about the production as a whole.

Ben Foster was a fine Stanley, the best I have seen in a live production and one I believe Williams and Kazan would have been happy with. Vanessa Kirby was an excellent Stella as well, although the modern dress worked against her more than any other actor in the cast.

Whatever reservations I may have, I am very grateful to have had a chance to see this.

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JayG 2
#2London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 9:42am

Come, come now. I discussion about anything but a dopey musical is fruitless on this site.
Loved Streetcar. Thought the cast was terrific. Loved Anderson's final scene. It was chilling. Most Blanches leave on the arm of the doctor in their finest frocks, her exit was grotesque and disturbing.
Foster was excellent, not over the top or totally despicable. His actions were understandable and his resentment toward Blanche built nicely throughout the production. (Loved the shadowy lighting effect and subtle movements that made Stanley truly look like an ape at one point.)
Stella and Mitch were equally impressive.

The present day setting was no problem at all (Maybe two references to Western Union were a bit jarring), but the play plays. It's one of our great ones, as this production purely and clearly states.

At first I thought the music jarring, but ultimately a lot of the underscoring was quite effective.

I'd see it again in a second. It was probably the best production I've seen of the play.

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newintown
#3London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 10:01am

I'd be interested in hearing more about the wealth of anachronism that must exist in a contemporary setting of this play written to be set almost 70 years ago - do most people just ignore references to things that no longer exist - streetcars, lemon coke from a corner drug store, telegrams, door-to-door collectors for newspapers, newspapers, etc.? And how about the total absence of contemporary trappings - A/C, cell phones, television, Hurricane Katrina?

Is it, perhaps, set in a sort of unreal fantasy "now?"

rjm516
#4London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 10:11am

I saw the live show last week and it was phenomenal so I definitely suggest seeing the cinecast if you can! Gillian's performance I thought was one for the ages. The production was wonderful - except Stella's ridiculous English accent with a twinge of US south every so often was pretty damn awful.

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Up In One
#5London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 10:27am

Because of the revolving in-the-round staging concept there were great camera angles not usually afforded to live recordings. Gillian Anderson was magnificent. Ben Foster was perfect. As much as I loved Vanessa Kirby's Stella her accent issues were distracting. I thought the updated sensibility, including the music were very effective. The promo's for the Young Vic made me wish I was there.


Up In One

sallyann
#6London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 10:40am

Didn't see the telecast but did see the play live in London. I was sadly underwhelmed by it. For me there seemed to be no atmosphere evoking the deep south. Gillian was good as were most of the cast, Stella maybe not really timid enough. I found the revolving set very distracting at first but stopped noticing after a while really. Overall I didn't think this was a patch on the production at the Donmar in London a few years back.

mamaleh
#7London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 10:51am

I wondered about the going-out-for-a-Coke line when the camera clearly picked up cans of Diet Coke in the kitchen; also the reference to "bobbysoxers" in a contemporarily set play. But even given those flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed the NT Live showing. Some didn't like Anderson, but I thought she was magnificent, especially in the final scenes. She was heartbreaking as a desperate animal caught in a trap from which there is no escape. Foster was the first Stanley I've seen who I could believe was of Polish extraction, both in his intonation and look. Great "Mitch," too. Glad I caught this one.

Brick
#8London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 11:04am

One of the most powerful productions of STREETCAR. It shook the dust off the play and made me hear lines I forgot were even there.

No surprise the modernization bothered people. But there are plenty of productions that set it in the 1940s. At the very least, if you want that, then go watch the movie.

Andrew's depiction of the violence in these women's lives and the twisted ways in which they stay, knowing there will be more, gave a true sense of danger I rarely feel with this play.

Anderson's performance was astonishing.

Dollypop
#9London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 11:37am

I saw this last night and was only one of 12 in the movie theater.

I loved the production! Yes, I could quibble about the present day setting and some of Stella's costumes, but I feel this was the closest realization to what Tennessee Williams intended that I've ever seen. Anderson was a stunning Blanche and Ben Foster was excellent as Stanley (although Alec Baldwin's stage performance in that role may always remain my favorite).

It was the first time I saw Williams' color symbolism used and it was very effective.


"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

Owen22
#10London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 12:36pm

Easily the greatest Blanche I've seen (I'm unsure how Cate Blanchette or Rachel Weiss could have been better). The whisper sing-song accent she employed could have been cliched, but it never ever was. It fit the lines written so expertly I wonder if this is from where that specific delivery (later cliche) sprung. It made Blanche so light at times, so little girl. And then so devastating. I completely saw the completely open and giving sweet young girl she once was, the coquette that turned to slut to survive (both emotionally and financially), the madness just beneath the surface, it was all there in that voice (and wonderful physicality). I'm not sure what the modern setting brought to the piece as none of the so-solidly-set 40's dialogue was unchanged (usually when a Shakespeare is modern dress there is a point, was it just so the director could use rock music during scene changes?) but perhaps it allowed Ben Foster to create his own Stanley, again, easily the best I've ever seen. I could see the mean yet hurt little boy underneath. The ape by design (I loved how before he raped her he stood ape-like over her digging at the ruffles of her dress, a little heavy handed reference-wise, but it worked and was scary). I also loved Mitch (but was he from Brooklyn or the Quarter?). I've seen so many wonderful Stella's, this girl came up a little short. The best Stellas are their own people but still obviously Blanche's sister. This girl did not have that.


Updated On: 9/17/14 at 12:36 PM

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EricMontreal22
#11London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:54pm

Ugh, I actually wrote a large review after my post last night, but I guess it didn't post. I'll go into my thoughts more later today when I have time, but I appreciate reading all the thoughts here...

"I missed the sense of time and place, and I agree that the musical interludes between scenes were jarring. I think of this as a downtown production done on a larger scale. It was daring and risky, but for every revelation gained there was something, perhaps a point of specificity, lost. "

I kinda agree with this. I liked the use of music within scenes, for the most part, but I found the mix of music (from thrashing guitars, to Chris Isaak's Wicked Games) in the transitions weird and kinda confused. I thought the update was fascinating, but, similar to you, for every time I was surprised at how powerfully it worked, there would be an equal time I found it absolutely did not work with the text or even basic story. But, unlike a lot of times people experiment with changing the time or setting of a play, it worked well enough for me that I was glad I saw it, even if, obviously, I would never want to be the norm.

I also agree with you on Gillian--I found her performance, particularly in Act II astounding but her voice was, indeed, one-note and I wished that was different. My one issue with Kirby was I felt her UK accent often crept up (most noticeably in a yelling moment in the second half.)

Updated On: 9/17/14 at 01:54 PM

rjm516
#12London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 4:39pm

Also thought some people might like to know - Carey Mulligan was there the night I saw it, and she was the very first person to jump to her feet in a standing ovation at the end. I liked that :)

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ggersten
#13London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 4:52pm

I didn't mind the music between scenes - but it seemed like the piece was underscored like a movie - with the music being used to increase tension and alter people's emotions. So, you are responding not to the actors - but to the totality of the presentation.

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The Glenbuck Laird
#14London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 5:09pm

Might have given a standing ovation then if I was sharing my ovation with Carey Mulligan

madlibrarian
#15London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/17/14 at 6:57pm

A great production of a great play. See it if you can.

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WickedGinger
#16London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 8:19am

Firstly what a great post! A little different from the ususal threads that are created. Also, due to the cinecast a much wider group of people can get involved in the discussion.

I thoroughly enjoyed the production. I thought the modern setting was an interesting twist on a classic. I have obviously been aware of Streetcar and the story, however have never seen a past production or the 50s movie. Therefore, I didn't have many preconcpetions. At first I did mind the music a little abrupt, however during the second act I think it really added to the production. It lent itself well to the intensity and insanity of the piece.

I thought Gillian Anderson's performance was outstanding. She portrayed the vulnerability of Blanche perfectly. I know some have commented on her voice, but for me this wasnt a problem. Being an American herself she was able to slip into the accent flawlessly. Her last line to the Doctor in the final scenen was delivered perfectly.

Vanessa Kirkby pulled off a perfectly fine protrayal of Stella. I thought she protrayed the character a little tougher than I was expecting Stella to be, however in the more modern setting I think she got away with it. However, like other comments above I did have issued with her accent. I think this was even more noticable due to the other leads pulling awful a flawless accent.

The big problem for me was Ben Foster. This is where I wholeheartedly disagree with the comments above. I was not taken with his portrayal of Stanely. I didn't think he was menacing enough, I didn't like is facial expressions and I found the performance a little jerky. I didnt see his emotions building up. I felt he got to the top of his range with no build up.

I loved the setting. The performance in the round and momvement of the entire set was wonderful. The camera movement for the cinecast were a little frustrating, it seemed under rehearsed. However, most likely they didnt have much, if any, rehearsal time this could easily be explained.

All in all a wonderful production with some minor mistakes from certain actors. Well done Young Vic and well done National Theatre Live.

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EricMontreal22
#17London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 1:28pm

"I didn't mind the music between scenes - but it seemed like the piece was underscored like a movie - with the music being used to increase tension and alter people's emotions. So, you are responding not to the actors - but to the totality of the presentation. "

In that respect it would be perfectly attuned to how Elia Kazan directed it originally (and how Williams largely wrote it to be.)

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EricMontreal22
#18London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 1:35pm

Thanks Wicked--I do hope threads about Live showings will become more common -- if only because I can genuinely contribute and not just give feedback on what I felt from reading a play or seeing a tour much after the fact.

I was curious about how the contemporary setting would strike someone who didn't know the play. I went with a friend who knew the play well, and her boyfriend who didn't. He was in tears at the end because he said it made him think about watching his sister's decent into insanity.

I am on the fence about Foster's performance. I think too much of the time I was just reacting to how differently he read lines I knew so well from Brando. I did think the way they staged (and he acted,) the "Stella" was perfect, and I liked his kinda concerned-but more relieved actions when Blanche was being taken away.

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Jay Lerner-Z
#19London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 2:07pm

I loved it from start to finish.

Gillian Anderson was outstanding - I have now promoted her to my senior cabinet of divas. Her hoarse voice worked well, I thought...I'm sure it was just the product of playing such an intense part night after night, but I thought it suited the character perfectly. Sure, there were occasional jarring moments, but so what - it was superb!

Nitpicky distractions - the mike packs/wires, the old lady in the front row with the cane who never stopped beaming, Stella's tight green pants, Stella's accent, Chris Isaak, and probably a few more which are not meant as criticisms.

I'm so glad I got to see this - I'll actually be in London next week, so to miss it live by a whisker was annoying, but this made up for it. Hurrah.


Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$

Blactor
#20London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 2:12pm

Having only seen the film, and having read the script a long time ago, I was excited to see this acclaimed production thanks to NTLive's screening.

I guess I'm in the minority that wasn't blown away by the production; I don't quite understand why so many superlatives are being heaped upon it. I thought it was solid, solid work, but it seemed a stronger directorial hand may have been needed.

Being both a former southerner and a HUGE X-Files fan, I was initially in awe of Gillain Anderson's character work on Blanche DuBois--and I want to say that, despite some missteps here and there, I thought the dialect work was pretty incredible for the most part--I've met SOOO many women down south that act and sound EXACTLY like Anderson's Blanche, and that was a treat. However, I have a feeling that that the choice to stay within that general vocal and physical wheelhouse limited her portrayal; it became monotonous and grating to me, and in the second half especially I wished there were more colors to help sell me on Blanche's deterioration, heartache, and ultimate breakdown. I wish the director had pushed Anderson further in this regard--they found a great thing, I wanted them to go deeper and mine more out of what they'd found. Anderson is certainly up to the task.

I liked Ben Foster overall, but I don't think he generated the danger and brute force that can make Stanley so compelling. My date commented that "it seems like Stella could take him!" I did appreciate his boyishness and everyman quality--two facets of the character that can be overlooked in search of a more brutish Stanley.

I thought this production belonged to Stella, in a low-key way. I thought Kirby to be a forceful presence, in a tough, mostly reactive role. And I agreed with my date that this was a Stella that would not be afraid to match her husband when push came to shove, and I was more moved by her anguish at the play's end than I was by anything else, to be honest. I do think that she and Foster generated great chemistry.

Mitch is a fantastic role IMO, and Corey Johnson NAILED it (despite sounding like a New Yorker some of the time!). Warmth, vulnerability, and naivete gave way to feelings of betrayal and brute force in a great way.

I don't think the "updating" really added anything to the play, but I don't think it impeded the story or the production either. I saw the screening at AMC on 42nd street, and though it went off without a hitch the LOUD scene transitions were pretty jarring, and I'm not sure they added to the play either.

Those are my two cents.

LucyEth
#21London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 3:51pm

Can someone tell me how long the broadcast is? My performance starts @ 2, but I have a 5 pm appointment. Not sure if I'm going to make it.

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ggersten
#22London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 4:01pm

Our Tuesday showing started at 7. And we were out at 10:10. But, that included a 30 minutes or so interval/intermission which included a behind the scenes look at the Young Vic. The Fathom website says 3 hours (approximate) including one intermission.

Updated On: 9/18/14 at 04:01 PM

madlibrarian
#23London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 4:02pm

It's over three hours, LucyEth. Better reschedule that appointment.

LucyEth
#24London's Gillian Anderson STREETCAR cinecast
Posted: 9/18/14 at 4:04pm

Had a feeling. Thanks for the help.