A Streetcar Named Desire – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Since its debut in 2012, the Scottish Ballet’s production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” has been proved to be a stunning interpretation of Tennessee Williams’ classic play. It is a faithful adaptation of the original story that feels completely fresh and innovative in its ballet form.

The choreography and music perfectly capture the emotion of the story and the performances are outstanding. This production is a beautiful expression of the themes of love, loss, and desire, and it is easy to see why it has won so many accolades.

Every movement is deliberate, emotional, and perfectly timed to convey the psychology and inner battles of the characters. The dancing is both sensual and powerful, effortlessly capturing the passion and intensity of the story. In particular, the pas de deux between Blanche and Stanley and the final act about her complete retreat back to fantasy are absolutely stunning and leave a lasting impression on the audience.

The music is an integral part of the production, perfectly complementing the choreography and enhancing the emotion of the story. The score is a mixture of classical and jazz, with the haunting strains of Ella Fitzgerald’s recording of It’s Only a Paper Moon being particularly memorable. The music, performed by a fully Scottish orchestra, adds depth to the characters and heightens the drama of the story, helping to create a truly immersive experience for the audience.

The performances in “A Streetcar Named Desire” are nothing short of outstanding. The dancers bring the characters to life with their every movement and gesture, clearly conveying the tumultuous emotions of the play. Margaret Hendrick is exceptional as Blanche, capturing the character’s fragility, vanity, and delusions with nuance and subtlety. Ryoichi Hirano is equally impressive as Stanley, conveying the character’s animalism and aggression with power and conviction.

As one of the leading ballet companies in the country, the Scottish Ballet is also praised for its inclusivity and support to its performers, which can be appreciated in the eclectic corps de ballet, formed by emerging talent who want to prove themselves as the future of Scotland’s ballet scene.

The Scottish Ballet’s production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” is a triumph of storytelling through dance. The choreography, music, and performances come together to create a beautiful, emotional, and immersive experience for the audience. It is a must-see for dance lovers and fans of Tennessee Williams’ work alike, and it is easy to see why it has earned so many critical accolades. The production will be running across Scotland’s main theatres before heading to the USA, where it will succeed the company’s also acclaimed adaptation of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

Playing until 6th May, https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/scottish-ballet-a-streetcar-named-desire/2100

Reviewer: Nazaret Ranea

Reviewed: 3rd May 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★