For this assignment, you are to see either a live performance or a recording of a live performance of some kind and consider the five following elements of theatre: Performers, Set, Lights, Costumes,

John Q. Anystudent

Performance Critique: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

For my critique, I attended the October 12th presentation of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at UTD. For the most part, I felt that the performers did a good job of presenting their characters. The only exception was the actor that played Big Mama. Her posture, quick walking pace, and energetic tone of voice made it hard to believe that her character was an elderly woman. If she had slowed down, I would have found her performance more believable.

I also felt that the set was designed well and worked with the characters. I was particularly interested in the placement of the bar. Putting it at center stage made it a real focal point and reinforced how strong of a roll drinking had taken in Brick's life. Having it placed at center stage also meant that Brick's multiple trips to the bar were never long and awkward in spite of his slow movement from being on crutches, since he was close to it wherever he happened to be on stage.

The lighting design for the show didn't really do anything that grabbed my attention. But I never had issues seeing any of the characters and there were no obvious dark spots on the stage. During scenes where the whole family was in the room, everybody was well lit and I could see all of their faces clearly.

All of the costumes for the show fit very well with the time frame of the play and with the characters wearing them. I thought that the choice of having Gooper's suit fit him a little too loosely did a good job of symbolizing that he's trying to be like Big Daddy and not doing a really good job of it. By contrast, Big Daddy's suit and Brick's pajamas both fit the actors very well and added to their appearance of confidence and strength.

The only major element that I didn't think was used very well in the show was sound. Other than the music before the show and during curtain call, there was hardly any use of sound that I noticed except for one sound effect that seemed very out of place. Several times during the play, a sound like an eagle or a hawk screeching played. But there was no bird on stage or even mentioned by anybody. It seemed really out of place and took me out of the moment.

Overall though, I enjoyed the show and thought that most of the major theater elements were used well.