Fading southern Belle Blanche DuBois unexpectedly appears at her sister's home in the stifling world of downtown New Orleans. With delusions of grandeur, Blanche stands in stark contrast to her new surroundings and her brother-in-law Stanley. His determination to reveal her secrets lead her to withdraw ever further away from reality, into a world of illusions.
A Streetcar Named Desire defined Tennessee Williams' (1911 - 1983) reputation as one of the greatest American Playwrights, winning him a Pulitzer Prize. His principal works include The Glass Menagerie (New York Critics' Circle Award), The Rose Tattoo (Tony Award for Best Play), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Pulitzer Prize), Suddenly Last Summer, Sweet Bird of Youth, Orpheus Descending and the Night of the Iguana (New York Critics' Circle Award).
Jack Ashton plays the Young Man. His theatre work includes Twelfth Night, The Homecoming (Theatre Royal York), Our Boys (Pleasance Theatre) and A Thrashing (Southwark Playhouse). For television, his credits include Mistresses, The Four Seasons and Silent Witness; and for film, Crimson Knights and Colin Brumby.
Elliot Cowan returns to the Donmar to play Stanley Kowalski. He previously appeared in Michael Grandage's production of Frost/Nixon which transferred to the Gielgud Theatre. His other theatre credits include The Revenger's Tragedy (National Theatre), The Internationalist (The Gate), Henry V (Manchester Royal Exchange), Women Beware Women (RSC) and Don Carlos (Sheffield Theatres and Gielgud Theatre). For television, his work includes The Fixer, Angel, In Love With Barbara, Lost in Austen, Ruby in the Smoke and The Project; and for film, The Golden Compass, Happy Go Lucky and Alexander.
Charles Daish plays the Doctor. His theatre credits include The Light in the Piazza (Curve Theatre, Leicester), Rain Man (Apollo Theatre), Chains of Dew (Orange Tree), Julius Caesar (Lyric Hammersmith) and Journey's End (West End). For television, his credits include Kingdom, Rock Rivals, Is This Love? and Hustle; and for film, Hamlet and Play Dead.
Judy Hepburn plays Matron. Her theatre credits include Mary Stuart (Donmar at the Apollo), Full Circle (Bromley Theatre), The Hollow Crown, Naked Justice (national tours) and Passion Play (Donmar at the Comedy Theatre). Her television credits include Angels, Goodbye America, Space 1999 and Z Cars.
Barnaby Kay plays Mitch. His theatre work includes War and Peace (Shared Experience), Blues for Mister Charlie (Tricycle Theatre) and Twelfth Night, As You Like It and Eric La Rue (RSC). For television, his credits include Wuthering Heights, The Fixer, The Passion, Lifeline, The Government Inspector, Prime Suspect and Cracker; and for film, Conspiracy, Croupier, Shakespeare in Love and Oscar and Lucinda.
Gary Milner returns to the Donmar to play Steve Hubbel. He previously appeared in Rob Ashford's production of Parade. His other credits include Imagine This (New London Theatre), Music Man, 5/11, Lee Miller and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Chichester Festival Theatre), Evita and Chicago (Adelphi Theatre), Brighton Rock (Almeida Theatre) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (The Palladium). For television, Dr Who, Spooks and Murphy's Law.
Daniela Nardini plays Eunice Hubbel. Her theatre work includes Etta Jenks (Finborough Theatre), Top Girls (Glasgow Citizens' Theatre), Cue Deadly (Riverside Studios) and Camille (Lyric Hammersmith). For television, her credits include Lewis, Purves & Pekkala, This Life +10, Gunpowder Treason and Plot, Sirens, Big Women, Reckless and This Life (BAFTA Award for Best Actress); and for film, Festival, Cargo and Tube Tales.
Luke Rutherford plays Pablo. His theatre work includes Ex Humare (King's Head Theatre) and Coriolanus (RSC). His television credits include Torchwood.
Rachel Weisz returns to Donmar to play Blanche DuBois. Her previous work for the company includes Suddenly Last Summer and Design for Living (Critics' Circle Award for Most Promising Newcomer). Her other theatre work includes The Shape of Things (Almeida Theatre and Promenade Theatre, New York). For film, her credits include My Blueberry Nights, Definitely Maybe, The Fountain, The Constant Gardener (Academy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards), Constantine, Runaway Jury, Confidence, The Shape of Things (also producer), About a Boy, The Mummy & The Mummy Returns, Enemy at the Gates, I Want You and Stealing Beauty . Weisz will be seen this year in The Brothers Bloom, The Lovely Bones and Agora.
Ruth Wilson plays Stella. Her theatre work includes Philistines (National Theatre) and Good (Sound Theatre). Her television credits include The Prisoner, Freezing, Mad, A Real Summer, Capturing Mary, Jane Eyre and Suburban Shootout; and for film, Get Off My Land.
Rob Ashford returns to the Donmar to direct. His previous work for the company includes the critically acclaimed Parade which marked his directorial debut. He was the choreographer on Michael Grandage's Guys and Dolls for the Donmar at the Piccadilly Theatre. His other credits include Candide (ENO, La Scala and La Chatelet Theatre), Princesses; stage musical adaptations of John Waters' Cry-Baby and Marty; Curtains; Michael Grandage's production of Evita (Adelphi Theatre); Thoroughly Modern Millie (both UK and US - Tony Award for Best Choreography) and the films Love Walked In and Beyond the Sea. Ashford serves on the Board of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.
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