Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, playing at the Alexandra Palace Theatre, examines the struggles of a family trying to come to terms with the changing world around them. Director Atri Banerjee creates a heartwarming and heartbreaking production which is centred around the idea of paradise.
Amanda Wingfield, lost in the memory of her past, projects unrealistic hopes and dreams onto her two children, Laura and Tom, attempting to make up for what she has lost through their fortunes. Just as Laura has a glimpse of hope in the form of a gentleman callers, her dreams are shattered through reality, and Tom decides to abandon his family to escape a world that offers him a lack of adventure.
From the moment the audience walks into this beautiful and historic venue, Rosanna Vize’s minimalistic set captures the eyes. The illuminated PARADISE sign, which towers above a circular platform, flickers against the vastness of the plain backdrop. This presents a visual merry-go-round, highlighting the naïve and fragile nature of Laura, as her delicate glass animals lace the outside of the platform. The creative choice of the sign being backwards at the start of the play gives the initial indication of these warped dreams. Once the play begins, and the sign begins to spin, although somewhat distracting at first, the uncertainty of paradise hangs over the audience and the idea of a new life remains out of reach.
Harry Potter star Geraldine Somerville’s interpretation of Amanda Wingfield was organic and captivating, although somewhat lacked the outburst of frustration the audience felt she needed. Throughout the first act, her twisted reality and unrealistic expectations are explored and developed. The audience understands her desire to remain living in the memory of her past, which she talks of so frequently. A combination of expressive and fluent movement around the stage and growing warmth of the lights when reminiscing on all her Gentleman callers, paints Amanda as a character who is desperate to remain in the safety and excitement of her past life.
Kasper Hilton-Hille’s portrayal of Tom Wingfield creates a vague and distant character in search of change. There felt as though there was a barrier between the audience and him, and his moments as the narrator did not feel as personal as they could have. However, this did create a sense of detachment to the character which led to a stronger feeling disappointment when he leaves his family to find a new, more adventurous life. The choice to have Hilton-Hille in adidas trainers and Somerville in an older-styled dress works to highlight Amanda being stuck in the past. However, this was also confusing when trying to establish the period in which the play is set.
The relationship established in Act 2 between Jim, played by Zacchaeus Kayode, and Laura, played by Natalie Kimmerling, was believable and touching. The audience witnesses the nervousness projected from Laura turn into trust as Kayode plays an understanding and kind confidant. Kimmerling and Kayode go from sitting awkwardly across the stage from one another to dancing and sharing intimate moments. Watching their bond bloom and flourish allows for a more heart wrenching moment when Laura’s hopes are destroyed. The audience becomes protective over her, and Kimmerling’s forgiving presentation makes it harder to watch Jim walk away.
The Glass Menagerie takes the audience on a character driven, sentimental journey. Presenting an altering perception of the past, the play escapes the confrontational reality, seeing the world through glass figurines and signs of Paradise.
The Glass Menagerie is at Alexandra Palace Theatre until 1st June 2024
