The Glass Menagerie

Tennessee Williams’ famous memory play The Glass Menagerie, his first great hit, premiered in Chicago in 1944 before transferring to Broadway. The story is told directly to the audience by Tom Wingfield, the son of the battling family living on the edge in St. Louis. It is his memory of his battling life while supporting his mother Amanda, a southern belle in her youth, and his super shy, physically handicapped sister Laura who builds her glass menagerie. The problem is to find a beau for Laura. Finally, Jim O’Connor, a friend of Tom’s from his warehouse work, comes for dinner. Does Amanda’s plan work? Does Tom remember correctly?  Well, it is worth the trip to see the play and discover.

Director Brenda White has, overall, cast wisely with the four performers. The set is effective with lace curtains, good visual images and space to move. Together with the costuming, this meant the mood was set and then maintained throughout.

Virginia Gray was a very strong flirtatious, manipulative and dominating mother who tried to do what she thought was best for her daughter. Well done, indeed. Jeremy Wood, as the dinner guest Jim O’Connor, was outstanding and lifted the play when he appeared to meet Laura who was played by Bianca Butler–Reynolds. I thought that this character, although very shy and injured, needed a little more vim at times but it was a consistent performance. Alex Porteous, as narrator and brother Tom, definitely needed more strength and energy in his performance at times as the play - his memory of the family life - depended on him.

I congratulate everyone involved in bringing this classic to life in such a strong and entertaining way. Oh, the menagerie?  You will have to see for yourself to learn another aspect of life.

William Davies