Ben Brantley in his review in the Times said "[Director, Liv] Ullmann and Ms. Blanchett have performed the play as if it had never been staged before, with the result that, as a friend of mine put it, 'you feel like you're hearing words you thought you knew pronounced correctly for the first time,'" and I felt the same. I'd seen it the last time it was on Broadway at Studio 54 with Natasha Richardson and John C. Reilly who, newsflash, is not hot. Stanley is supposed to be hot. Period. (That is not to say I would not date John C. Reilly if he asked. He's funny and has cool friends, but it would have to be on the condition that I did not have to see him play Stanley again.) Anyways, this production felt completely different and I'd forgotten (or maybe never known) how funny it can be. Cate has a great deadpan humor about her at times while being completely heartbreaking as well as frustratingly horrible at others. A great combination for one of America's most famous theatrical women. Also did I mention that Cate can play a really good drunk? I was wondering if there really was some SoCo in that bottle she was swigging from! If you can, please go see this production before it closes Dec. 20th. I would love to see it transfer to Broadway but I know Ms. Blanchett is a busy girl what with three boys to raise, the Sydney Theatre Comany to artistically direct and a semi-successful movie career to manage. (ha!)
Here's a photo of the Oscar-winner as Blanche and a shirtless Joel Edgerton as Stanley. (You're welcome.)
