We witnessed some theatre magic tonight.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof is a transfer to the West End from Broadway and after tonight’s performance I could understand why it was a sold-out run. This play by Tennessee Williams is the story of a Southern family delivered with a twist – an all black cast. The play is told over the course of one evening and focuses on the rocky marriage between Brick and Maggie and their interaction with his family. Supposedly the family has gathered to celebrate his Brick’s dad’s birthday however they are hiding a big secret – that he is dying of cancer. In the mean time relatives scramble around trying to ingratiate themselves with Big Daddy.

Five great names: James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Adrian Lester and Sanaa Lathan play Big Daddy, Big Mama, Brick and Maggie respectively and Debbie Allen, you may recognise her from Fame, directs. What an awesome formula and it produced a great result.

From the outset you are drawn into the drama of Brick, the former college football player now alcoholic, and Maggie, his frustrated and beautiful wife, fighting against the memory of Brick’s dead (male) best friend. Add to this element the rest of the cast, including the age-old father-son conflict, the tension with his own brother and greedy sister-in-law, and the loneliness of his mother it all makes for a rather moody but moving few hours.

Cast-wise though everyone delivered their characters perfectly – I loved James Earl Jones. He was by far and away the star of the show though Sanaa Lathan was not too far behind him. As soon as Jones hit the stage it was like – wow – that’s some stage presence. He hasn’t lost any of his mojo that’s of sure.