https://padlet.com/lucy_hiscox/5gmityx36f56 Wider Reading en-us 2017-01-11 09:31:03 UTC 2017-05-17 08:51:16 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Brightnessdown.png lucy_hiscox https://padlet.com/lucy_hiscox/5gmityx36f56/wish/146456833
The play is about a wealthy old woman - Flora 'Sissy' Goforth - who is supposedly dying due to terminal illness, and living on a secluded island in a mansion. A man comes into her life who may or may not be "The Angel of Death". The title - Boom! - is the title of the 1968 British drama film, which is adapted from the 1963 play " The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore". Both the script for the film and play were written by Tennessee Williams. 
Similarities in characters is an example of a link between "Boom!", and "A Streetcar Named Desire". Blanche Dubois and Mrs. Goforth are both wealthy, addicted to alcohol and have mental health issues. To show biographical context, an analysis into Williams life shows that his father was an alcoholic, and shows how his own life has inspired his works. Furthermore, the character of Mrs. Goforth is also quite narcissistic and selfish, which also shows similarities to Blanche, and also links to Williams father, who was also inconsiderate towards Williams. 

The characterization of Flora Goforth continues to show similarities with Blanche Dubois due to her personailty. Much like Blanche, Flora uses her former sexuality to flirt with men, desperate to fill a void of loneliness, which is a theme much explored in the play, much like Streetcar. 
Early in the play, Flora says "What would do me more good than pharmaceuticals is a lover”, suggesting she feels she needs a man to keep her stable. In comparison, this links to when Blanche meets Mitch in Act One Scene Three, and 'looks after him with certain interest'. Their relationship is complex, and mostly depends on the fact they both need someone. Blanche, mentally unstable but in denial, shows interest in Mitch because she feels that she needs someone to make her feel loved. This links to Flora because she is also desperate to be adored, knowing she does not have long. Furthermore, at the end of both plays, both Flora and Blanche have unfortunate endings. 
When writing the play, Williams was in a time of personal grief as his long term partner had just died. Because of this, much of his grief began to influence his work, and the characters became more and more abstract. 
Of what I have researched of "The Milk Train"/"Boom!", I have become intrigued. When the play was released in 63', it gained many bad reviews, however over the years, since the characters have been adapted (e.g Flora's female best friend adapted into a flamboyant gay man) and the style of the play has changed, it has gained some success. 

Overall, from what I could find about the play, I would rate it a 2/5 stars. 

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