I could describe this production in one word: Superb!
Being a huge fan of both the play and the 1958 film starring Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, I was weary of my own preconceptions, almost certain my inability to stop making comparisons would hamper my enjoyment; I needn’t have been. As soon as Sanaa Lathan launched into the first act which is effectively a monologue I knew we were in for a treat. Her delivery was brilliant and throughout the first half of the play Adrian Lester’s Brick was more of a sidepiece. He didn’t have the pulling power of Paul Newman and it would have been interesting to see whether Terrence Howard’s Brick fared any better.
Phylica Rashad played Big Mama beautifully and it was difficult to imagine her in any other role despite watching her for years on The Cosby Show. However James Earl Jones stole the show; as one would imagine. He managed to convey so much emotion and not once did my mind flicker back to Burl Ives’ excellent performance. On hearing of this ‘all black production’, I was initially unsure as to why one would be needed but clearly the producers had more foresight than myself as Tenessee Wiliams play needs no adapting to suit a black family and the only clear difference I could see was the insertion of a few expletives. Other than this the cast took to their roles seamlessly.
This is showing until April in London. I could not recommend it enough!