Almeida’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Revival Divides Critics

Rebecca Frecknall’s modernized take on Tennessee Williams’s classic receives praise for its bold choices but criticism for its uneven execution.

Daisy Edgar-Jones makes her major stage debut as Maggie, with critics split on her performance, calling it either intense or lacking depth.
Kingsley Ben-Adir’s portrayal of the tormented Brick is noted for its emotional nuance, though the character remains a challenging role to elevate.
Lennie James earns widespread acclaim for his commanding performance as Big Daddy, bringing both ferocity and vulnerability to the role.
Director Rebecca Frecknall’s staging integrates abstract elements, including a ghostly pianist and non-period design, which some found striking while others deemed distracting.
The production explores themes of race, sexuality, and family legacy, but its three-hour runtime and pacing drew criticism for feeling unbalanced.