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93
Play • Fiction
Mexico • 1940s
1961
Dramatist's Play Service
Adult
18+ years
The Night of the Iguana, a play by Tennessee Williams, revolves around Lawrence T. Shannon, a disgraced former minister turned tour guide, who is accused of statutory rape. At a rustic hotel owned by Maxine Faulk in Mexico, Shannon battles to maintain control of his tour group. The play delves into themes of man's relationship with God, sexual desire, loneliness, jealousy, and confinement.
Mysterious
Dark
Emotional
Melancholic
Contemplative
5,697 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana is lauded for its rich, complex characters and intense emotional depth, capturing human frailties and existential dilemmas. Critics praise Williams' potent dialogue and vivid setting. However, some find the narrative pacing occasionally sluggish, and the plot's density a potential obstacle for casual readers.
A reader who enjoys introspective drama, complex characters, and psychological tension will find The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams riveting. Fans of Williams' other works or those who appreciate Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman and Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night will likely be drawn to this powerful, character-driven narrative.
5,697 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Reverend Lawrence T. Shannon
A troubled man and a former Episcopal minister in his mid-thirties, Shannon arrives at the Costa Verde with a group of tourists and is prone to mental health crises and controversial decisions.
Miss Hannah Jelkes
A remarkable and ethereal artist traveling with her grandfather, Hannah is resourceful and resilient, working to sell her art while navigating challenging circumstances at the Costa Verde.
Nonno, or Mr. Jonathan Coffin
Hannah's elderly grandfather, a near-centenarian poet whose primary goal is to complete his final poem, accompanies Hannah and relies on her care and support.
Miss Judith Fellowes and Miss Charlotte Goodall
Part of Shannon's tour group from a Baptist women's college, Miss Fellowes serves as Charlotte's protective chaperone while Miss Goodall is a teenage singing prodigy involved in controversy with Shannon.
The Germans
The Fahrenkopf family, guests at the hotel, are depicted as loud and jingoistic with their behavior reflecting the historical context of World War II, providing a backdrop of tension and dramatic irony.
The Night of the Iguana premiered on Broadway in 1961 and was the last major success for playwright Tennessee Williams during his lifetime.
The play won the 1962 Tony Award for Best Play, marking a significant achievement in Williams’ illustrious career.
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Tennessee Williams wrote The Night of the Iguana while staying in a hotel in Mexico, which inspired the setting for the play.
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93
Play • Fiction
Mexico • 1940s
1961
Dramatist's Play Service
Adult
18+ years
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