Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Overview

The original template for family dysfunction and classic story of lies, deceit, greed and death, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is the brainchild of Tennessee Williams that opened in its original form on Broadway in 1955. Its success was immediate and its story became glorified worldwide, with countless retellings through theatres over the globe, and a well-loved rendition via motion picture starring Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman screening in 1958.

And now local director David Cox, along with the team at Stagecraft Theatre, are bringing the beloved classic to Wellington for a few select nights throughout August. The story is set in the 1950’s and spans the short time period of just one fateful night in a cotton plantation house. An insightful perspective on human nature and its intrinsic self-centred intent, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof follows a range of characters, displaying each of their motives and intentions, and delving into the scandalous lives of one truly skewed family.

The children of Big Mama (Felicity Cozens) and Big Daddy (Allan Burne) have ticked all of life’s major boxes, but the story highlights just how unsatisfied they really are. Brick (Cormac Maguire), their youngest son, wants nothing more that to succumb to the blurry depths alcoholism, and his wife Maggie, ‘the Cat’ (Amy Whiterod) merely puts up with her loveless marriage to the handsome yet burdened man. The older son Gooper (Ben Haddock) is a total yawn, yet lives comfortably and is gunning for his father’s estate whilst largely ignoring his wife Mae (Meredith Dooley).

The story has gone down in history for a reason, and director David Cox promises a juicy rendition of the classic script that is sure to keep the audience on its toes.