The Olivier Award-winning West End transfer of the Almeida Theatre’s production of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire—directed by Rebecca Frecknall (Cabaret)—concludes its limited engagement at the Phoenix Theatre May 6. Performances began March 20.
Normal People star and 2023 Olivier winner Paul Mescal, who was nominated for an Oscar for his leading role in the film Aftersun, reprises his role as Stanley Kowalski alongside Olivier winner Patsy Ferran (Summer & Smoke) as Blanche Du Bois, 2023 Olivier winner Anjana Vasan (We Are Lady Parts) as Stella Kowalski, and Dwane Walcott (One Night in Miami, Our Girl) as Harold "Mitch" Mitchell.
Also reprising their roles from the Almeida production: Eduardo Ackerman as Pablo, Gabriela García as Mexican Woman, Tom Penn as Doctor/Drummer, Jabez Sykes as Young Collector, and understudy Francesca Knight. Joining the company for the West End run: Alexander Eliot as Steve and Cash Holland as Eunice plus understudies Rob Dempsey, Zach Parkin, and Constanza Ruff.
READ: Reviews: What Do Critics Think of A Streetcar Named Desire at London's Almeida?
In the Williams classic, when Blanche unexpectedly visits her estranged sister Stella, she brings with her a past that will threaten their future. As Stella’s husband Stanley stalks closer to the truth, Blanche's fragile world begins to fracture.
Mescal said in an earlier statement, “I’m incredibly excited that Streetcar is being transferred to the West End with this formidable cast and creative team, led by the exceptionally talented Rebecca Frecknall. It’s my favorite play and it’s wonderful to be able to share it with a wider audience.”
The production also has set design by Madeleine Girling, costume design by Merle Hensel, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Peter Rice, music by composer Angus MacRae, and casting by Julia Horan.
A Streetcar Named Desire premiered on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in December 1947, playing 855 performances before closing in December 1949. Directed by Elia Kazan, the original company boasted Jessica Tandy as Blanche, Marlon Brando as Stanley, and Kim Hunter as Stella.
The Almeida staging officially opened December 20, 2022, and ended its run February 4, 2023. The production was nominated for six Olivier Awards, subsequently winning three: Best Revival plus leads Mescal and Vasan for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Supporting Role, respectively.
A Streetcar Named Desire was produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions the Almeida Theatre, Wessex Grove, and Gavin Kalin productions.
Visit StreetcarWestEnd.com.
