You desire some dreamers? Well, you've got it with "The Lady of Larkspur Lotion." What about a doomed romance? Oh yes, you've got that as well with "Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen." Do you need sadism? Mendacity? Southern gothic crassness? Well, there's the titular play that offers all of that and even more. In short, each and every one of Williams' signature elements is present here in short form through a one-act play. In a sense, it's like a collection of bite-sized versions of his masterpieces, along with a couple of oddities thrown in for good measure. It's a fascinating exploration of his unique style and themes, presented in a concise and engaging manner. Whether you're a die-hard Williams fan or new to his work, this collection of one-act plays is sure to captivate and intrigue you.
Obviously, when dealing with a collection of short plays, there are bound to be some successes and failures. However, this particular collection contains enough excellent material that I wholeheartedly recommend it. "This Property is Condemned" is truly heartbreaking, tugging at the heartstrings and leaving a lasting impact. "27 Wagons" is deeply disturbing, making you question the darker aspects of human nature. And "The Demolition Downtown" was a huge surprise, as it had an almost sci-fi feel to it, transporting you to a different world.
I must admit that I wasn't overly enthusiastic about "The Last of My Solid Gold Watches" or "Steps Must be Gentle." Nevertheless, the writing in these plays was interesting enough to keep me engaged from start to finish. There were unique perspectives, clever wordplay, and thought-provoking themes that made me want to see where the story was going. Overall, this collection of short plays offers a diverse range of experiences, with something for everyone to enjoy.
I was in my freshman year of high school when something really strange happened. I got sent to the principal's office. And do you know why? It was because I was reading a certain book instead of "At Risk" in my English class. "At Risk" is the book about the little girl who gets AIDS from a blood transfusion. But I had my own choice of reading material. And apparently, that wasn't okay with the teacher. I mean, what the hell? (WTF?) I was just trying to explore different books and expand my knowledge. But instead, I ended up in the principal's office. It was so frustrating and I really didn't understand why it was such a big deal.
27 WAGONS FULL OF COTON and other plays - TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
✒️ "In my opinion art is a kind of anarchy, and the theater is a province of art."
INTRODUCTION