Rachel Weisz who has won an Oscar for her performance in “The Constant Gardener” has also recently won the approval of theatre critics in London for her performance in “A Streetcar Named Desire” as the affable Blanche DuBois. Weisz also got a four star review from New York Times critic Matt Wolf earning her the possibility of maybe making it to Broadway in the future as well.
The original role of Blanche was originally reprised by Jessica Tandy who won a Tony for her portrayal in 1949. Other famous folks to play Blanche include Vivien Leigh of “Gone with the Wind” in 1951 after she won her second Oscar for performing in the West End version of the same film.
Also, throughout the 1950s and 1970s the play was reprised with several notable actors including Tallulah Bankhead, Lois Nettleton, Uta Hagen, and Rosemary Harris. In 1988 Blythe Danner and Frances McDormand also received Tony nods but lost to Joan Allen for her performance in “Burn This.”
Weisz seems to be following in their footsteps with reviews that say she has nailed the nervous, flighty tendencies of Blanche DuBois on the doorknob, or perhaps it was slightly a case of the butterflies although it seems her portrayal is staying strong enough to continue earning critical acclaim.
Also notable in the new production of “Streetcar Named Desire” is the portrayal of Stella by Ruth Wilson although Elliot Cowan falls short with his portrayal of Stanley.
For those who want to take a look to see for themselves, good luck if you do not already possess a ticket as it is sold out with returns only.
