Tennessee Williams: The Glass Menagerie

Tennessee William’s melancholy masterpiece about a fragile girl, shy and lame, who is wooed out of her awkwardness by her gentleman caller is one of the most powerful plays of the last century. 

Powerful in its poetic simplicity. 

The stage is inhabited by three people: a widowed mother, Amanda, and her two children, Laura and Tom. Amanda still imagines that she is a noble lady of the South. Tom takes care of the family and escapes to the movies at every chance. Damaged Laura (inspired by William’s own sister) spends endless hours with her glass animals. All are lonely. All dream behind closed doors of a different life. 

“The heroes are full of doubts, scars and secrets," says director Ivo van Hove, who is bringing the legendary playwright’s one-act drama, written in 1944, to life at the Onassis Stegi Roof Stage for three exciting performances. The revered French actor Isabelle Huppert, star of movies such as Greta and Eight Women, will take the role of Amanda.

Tennessee Williams gives voice to the weak, says van Hove: “He tries to understand their power, their inner strength and resistance.”

“I have been dreaming of directing this play for a long time because it talks about the power of the fragile man in a cruel and violent world.”

The play will be performed in French with Greek and English sub-titles. Covid health and safety protocols are in effect for all live performances in Athens. Check the event link below for details.