Cat on a hot tin roof

Directed by Debbie Allen
Novello Theatre, Aldwych, London

I knew what to expect the moment I agreed to go and see this play with friends, with greats like James Earl Jones, and Phylicia Rashad – there was no doubt that the performances would be as stellar as the cast. In 2hours and 45 minutes, they certainly did not disappoint. James Earl Jones played Big Daddy, the patriarch of the family whose illness and anticipated death is the catalyst for family bickering and ensuing revelations. The stunning Sanaa Lathan is brilliant as the title character, although her ability to wear her frustrated alcoholic husband played by Adrian Lester down makes it hard for us to sympathise with her. Yet somehow we can still relate to Maggie’s pain, her desperate pleas to Brick for his love which by all accounts she never had. Debbie Allen has done a phenomenal job of transforming Tennessee Williams’ play into a production which although has an all black cast, does not focus on colour or race but rather on family issues which we can all relate to regardless of our class and race. A friend suggested that there was not enough evidence of the outrage that would have been felt towards the homosexual issue; I would argue though that given the dynamics of families, there is often a silent complicity – we know the issues that plague our families but choose to ignore them. When brought out in the open, there is little need for feigned surprise at facts which everyone knew but choose to ignore. Well worth the £30 which we paid for the best seats - there was a discount for early and a large group booking. Otherwise prices range from £22- £54. http://www.catwestend.com/