Summer and Smoke
Full to the brim with beauty and pain, comedy and heart-ache, this revival is one not to be missed
Summer and Smoke
Frecknall's account has both soulfulness and fluidity... the crucial relationship between Alma and John can never have felt so layered - or so painful.
Evening Standard
Summer and Smoke
Full to the brim with beauty and pain, comedy and heart-ache, this revival is one not to be missed
Why see Summer and Smoke?
Patsy Ferran and Matthew Needham Star
After a critically acclaimed and sold-out run at the Almeida last February, Rebecca Frecknall's beautiful production of Tennessee William's Summer and Smoke heads to the Duke of York's Theatre this winter. With original stars, Patsy Ferran and Matthew Needham continuing to lead the production, Summer and Smoke is set to be this season's stand-out masterpiece.
Described as 'spellbinding' by the Financial Times and 'captivating' by The Stage, Frecknall's stripped down production stole the hearts and minds of the critics, bringing Williams' forgotten play into the light once more.
What is Summer and Smoke about?
Set in Glorious Hill, Mississippi, Summer and Smoke centres around a highly-strung, unmarried minister's daughter, Alma Winemiller (Ferran), and the tug-and-push will-they won't they near romance with John Buchanan, Jr. (Needham), a fun-loving and unruly doctor who grew up next to her. Whilst he is in pursuit of her romantically, she rebuffs him, wanting spiritual fulfilment instead. However as the years pass she realises that he was the one for her all along; but does he still feel the same way about her?
Cast
Patsy Ferran as Alma Winemillerh
Matthew Needham as John Buchanan, Jr.
Creative
Directed by Rebecca Frecknall
Written by Tennessee Williams
Lighting Designed by Lee Curran
Sound Design by Carolyn Downing
DEsigned by Tom Scutt
Reviews
Our review
Mesmerising, Atmospheric, Stunning
A Tennessee Williams masterpiece is brought into the limelight once again in the Almeida's West End transfer of Summer and Smoke. Full to the brim with beauty and pain, comedy and heart-ache, this revival is one not to be missed.
Abigail Slocombe
Customer reviews
Frank
Brilliant production and performances
Hard to believe the previous review is for the same play, I'm sorry you missed the
second half and I will be amazed if the critics don't give it glowing reviews. There was no
chance of anybody leaving half way through the performance I saw, which was utterly
enthralling, heartfelt and sublimely performed. Patsy Ferran was exceptional from the
start and will no doubt be getting many more prominent roles after this – in fact it
would be no surprise if this is the latest Almeida show to transfer to the West End. ... Read more
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