I just returned from seeing the classic Tennessee Williams piece “The Glass Menagerie,” – one of only three performances as a special penangpac production.

Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t miss this show!

1. Marina Tan! Marina played the matriarch Amanda Wingfield, giving a stunning performance. The nuances, the playful southern accent, the command of the stage – the depth of the character, who on the surface seems so one-dimensional, was brought to life by this terrific performance by Tan. I’ve seen Marina in many wonderful performances in the past, but she was more than up to the challenge for this meaty role. Tremendous!
2. The direction. American actor and director Christopher Presslar did an admirable job with the entire splendid cast. The direction was playful and relaxed, with terrific spatial features which showed the distance between the characters. The minimalist set worked very well. The pace moved quickly, but Presslar’s touch allowed the necessary quiet moments to properly pace the scenes very effectively. I was also very appreciative of the decision to not try and adapt this piece to a Malaysian setting, but let the words of Williams and his universal themes to speak for themselves. I do become tired of adaptations which changes the original script to better suit a local audience. I’m so glad this wasn’t the case. It was St. Louis 1937, as it should be.
3. The set. I love going to shows to see how the production decides to tackle. With a combination of raised platforms, LCD projectors, fog machines, period music, and a terrific lighting plan, the set brought the play alive in all the correct ways. The focused facial lighting, the backlighting, the soft hues, the smoky feel – all of it created a wonderful atmosphere for theatre.

And lastly, I know this is four, but I have to mention Williams’ script. It’s great to see and hear a modern classic on the stage. It doesn’t happen that often, especially in my part of the world, so it is treat.

Don’t miss the final performance @penanagpac, Saturday Sept 24, 8:30 pm.