Edwin Beecroft, director of Tennessee Williams’ classic play, confesses to a love of New Orleans’ jazz and, despite some inevitable lapses, the atmosphere of that town is successfully conveyed.

An achievement which owes a great deal to the towering performance of Sarah Short as Blanche Dubois, faded Southern belle, sneaky alcoholic, hypocritical, flirtatious snob, nightmare of a sister, whose insistence on playing the victim finally leads to a horrible comeuppance.

It’s a wonderful role and Short convinces throughout, only perhaps not always giving Blanche’s more vulnerable moments full weight.

Shawn Condra takes a little longer to establish Stanley Kowalski’s “animal magnetism”, but his wit and violent outbursts are effectively done.

Debbie Murray as Stella, caught between husband and sister but no pushover, and Vic Milne as Mitch, beguiled by Blanche’s charms, deserve special mention.

Not all the information in the very short final scene comes across. Otherwise, excellent theatrical entertainment.

A Streetcar Named Desire Lyndhurst Drama and Musical Society, Vernon Theatre, Lyndhurst.

Ham Quentin