Streetcar named desire - Live theatre analaysis

Question 1

Style

Answer 1

• magic realism
• expressionistic

Question 2

atmosphere

Answer 2

• eerie
• haunting
• rememberance

Question 3

stage type

Answer 3

• in then round
• made it feel very exposed

Question 4

Set

Answer 4

• White double bed, that was not made - shows charcters mental state
• Very white Ikea like set - symoblic to characters financial status - and useful for lighting
• revolving sage- magda willi says “Her set for streecar is a kind of X - ray”

Question 5

When Blanche drinks - “I’ve got to keep hold of myslef”

Answer 5

• Stage begins to spin - expressionistic - shows blanches mental state and how she is losing touch with reality
• Then when stella enters the building, stage stops spinning - showing blanch snapping back into reality

Question 6

Lighting

Answer 6

• Blue wash onstage from Fresnels - shows its evening - creates a surreal dreamlike atmosphere
• candle light is flickering - suductive - creates shadows from light - eerrie atmosphere

Question 7

When Blanch and stanley are in the appartment together

Answer 7

• soft, low intensity profile spotlight on Blanch - casts a shadow on her face - this shows she has something to hide

link to cat - could do the same for brick showing he is hiding his sexaulity

• The stage around the appartment also becomes more dimly lit where all that can be seen is the blue wash - this creates a more sexaul atmosphere - along with showing the time of day - evening

Question 8

Sound

Answer 8

• Opening sound of Streetcar passing shows Blanch arriving- digetic
• When Stanley touches Blanches love letters - creepy piano music plays that only Blanche can hear - shows she is losing her mind
• piano music stops when she says “im sorry, I must have lost my head for a miniute” - shows she is getting her act together