Theatre: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - arguably Tennessee Williams' greatest play - centres on Brick and Maggie Pollitt, a husband and wife in crisis, trying to celebrate the birthday of tycoon ‘Big Daddy' Pollitt at their family estate in Mississippi. But what should be a celebratory occasion is threatened by undercurrents of unfulfilled marriages, illicit affairs, and homosexuality.
Since winning a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1955 the play has been repeatedly restaged for audiences around the world. The latest adaptation by the award-winning director Debbie Allen has passion, drama and emotional honesty. Fresh from an acclaimed stint on New York's Broadway, it boasts an impressive cast of Academy, Tony, and Olivier Award winners and nominees. Adrian Lester and Sanaa Lathan take the lead as Brick and Maggie and James Earl Jones stars as Big Daddy.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is an insightful and honest portrait of family relationships told with Williams' characteristic wit and Allen's bold adaptation gets it spot on.
Runs to 10 April 2010; Novello Theatre, London
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