Genre: Drama, Southern Gothic
Key Stage: Upper KS4+
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sweet Bird of Youth, Tennessee Williams (1959)
The play Sweet Bird of Youth explores the consequences of time, desire, and longing. The protagonist Chance Wayne goes back to his hometown in order to pursue the woman he loves – Heavenly – once more, without realising all he has put her through in the meanwhile. He has a woman who now refers to herself as Princess, a well-known actress who fears ageing, with him. This is because they both require one another; for Princess, to make herself feel young again, and for Chance to get himself into acting, to impress Heavenly and get her father’s approval.
In my opinion, this play depicted feelings of longing and desperation perfectly, using the characters of Chance and Princess to do so. Chance’s devotion to get Heavenly back and his unwavering love for her, draws you in as you are just rooting for the two to work out. I also felt great pity for the character of Princess, and her inability to truly escape the effects of time also acts as a reality check for the audience to seize the moment and make the most of life while you can.
Reviewer: Tanzeela, Year 12