And Tell Sad Stories of the Deaths of Queens ☆☆☆☆☆

Mr Delaney (superbly played by Luke Mullins; delicate but tense like an over wound watch) is a successful interior decorator and landlord, who transforms into Candy when he has gentlemen company in the stifling deep south of New Orleans. Tonight he has brought home Karl, a sailor (the magnificently butch George Fletcher). After some preamble where we learn just how dangerous Karl might be, we watch as Mr Delaney transforms into Candy – a vision in a red dress with lips to match.

A palpable sense of dread hangs over the two as they dance – Karl brags he gets violent when he’s had a drink, yet Candy seems intent on pouring every known cocktail down the poor boy! What can she be thinking…..?

Mr Delaney/Candy is a case study of barely controlled neurosis which alternates with the surprising strength and profound anger of someone who can see their most treasured dreams slipping away from them as the years spin by.

Karl is terrifying and threatening and yet; you would dear reader, you soooo would……

We are told that this piece “And tell sad stories of the deaths of queens” was never performed during Tennessee Williams lifetime due to the openly gay characters. This play does refer to a particular time and place and some themes date it but many, particularly the yearning to have a man; to create a life with him; remain painfully relevant today as they ever were. If you are wondering where that title came from – it’s a play on a line from Richard II about how even Kings ‘feel want, taste grief and need friends too’.

Director Jamie Armitage has wisely allowed the text to do the work and the dialogue is like liquid silver – it slips easily between characters and every line carries a surprising weight and sparkle.

This is a short slice of genius playwriting from a queer master at work presented with riveting panache by each and every actor – FEEL THE HEAT!

 

And Tell Sad Stories of the Deaths of Queens : A One Act Play  By Tennessee Williams   Directed by Jaime Armitage 

www.kingsheadtheatre.com until Sunday August 19th 2018

London’d Kings Head six week curated programme of LGBTQI+ Theatre continues and has included Riot Act (reviewed here) and the Cluedo Club Killings (reviewed here)

 

Review: Jonny Ward

Jonny Ward, Queerguru Contributing Editor is a drama graduate but has worked backstage for many years at venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, The 02, Southbank Centre and is currently at The National Theatre. He lives in Hoxton, London and is delighted to check out the latest, the hottest and the downright dodgy in queer culture for Queerguru. (P.S. He is currently single)

 

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