Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Broadway Success And Childhood | 20140922 | 20190805 (BBC7) 20190806 (BBC7) | Echoes of Tennessee Williams's troubled childhood find their way into Tennessee's first Broadway success, The Glass Menagerie. Opening episode of the biography of America's great playwright by acclaimed theatre critic, John Lahr. John Lahr's evocative biography of one of America's greatest playwrights vividly illustrates how Tennessee Williams drew on his personal experiences to create some of the most memorable characters of the American stage and screen such as Blanche, Stanley, Big Daddy, Brick, Amanda and Laura. Drawing on Tennessee Williams's poems, journals and private correspondence with friends and colleagues, Lahr creates a compelling portrait of William's turbulent personal life and his extraordinarily successful career. John Lahr was the Senior Drama Critic at the New Yorker for 20 years. His other books include, Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton. Echoes of Williams's troubled childhood find their way into his first Broadway success. |
| 02 | Awakenings | 20140923 | 20190806 (BBC7) 20190807 (BBC7) | Tennessee Williams embarks on a new play, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Marlon Brando attends an unconventional audition for the part of Stanley. John Lahr's evocative biography of America's great playwright. The biography of America's great playwright by the acclaimed theatre critic, John Lahr. |
| 03 | Moon Of Pause | 20140924 | 20190807 (BBC7) 20190808 (BBC7) | Tennessee Williams sails to Europe where he makes new friends. Back home a chance encounter promises love and inspiration for a new play, The Rose Tattoo. John Lahr's evocative biography of America's great playwright. The biography of America's great playwright by the acclaimed theatre critic, John Lahr. |
| 04 | Testing Times | 20140925 | 20190808 (BBC7) 20190809 (BBC7) | Testing times lie ahead for Tennessee Williams as Cat on Hot Tin Roof takes shape. John Lahr's evocative biography of America's great playwright. The biography of America's great playwright by the acclaimed theatre critic, John Lahr. |
| 05 LAST | Crisis Point | 20140926 | 20190809 (BBC7) 20190810 (BBC7) | Drink and pills lead Tennessee Williams to crisis point. His troubled relationship with Frank Merlo is reflected in a new play, Sweet Bird of Youth. John Lahr's evocative biography of America's great playwright. The biography of America's great playwright by the acclaimed theatre critic, John Lahr |