THIS short but emotionally draining work is partly autobiographical; Tennessee Williams' own sister underwent devastating brain surgery at her mother's behest, although there was apparently no physical abnormality.

Violet Venable has lost her only son Sebastian in dreadful circumstances, and vulnerable Catharine Holly witnessed his death. Violet is determined that, rather than allow Catharine to tell her hideous story, it should be "cut...out of her brain" and has assembled a doctor and Catharine's family in order to pursue her ruthless aim.

But first, the doctor administers a truth drug and Catharine relives Sebastian's final hours in all their horror.

Diana Rigg plays Violet to the hilt: crippled in body but with the indomitable spirit to force others to bow to her will. She is determined to preserve Sebastian's memory as a chaste, poetic dreamer, and will sacrifice Catharine to do so. Although she barely speaks during the last half-hour of the play, Dame Diana's stage presence is powerful.

Even more powerful, though, is Victoria Hamilton as Catharine, whose mesmeric performance is nothing short of awesome.

The set is ugly and evocative; Sebastian has created a semi-tropical garden full of huge, meaty red flowers and insect-eating plants, and his doting mother thinks it beautiful.

The screeching, discordant accompaniment could not be called music, but so accurately conveys the characters' teetering on the edge of madness. There's a throbbing, ominous undertone, too, which is very effective.

It's an unforgettable evening, not for the fainthearted.

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Published: 15/04/2004