Writing candidly on being approached to direct the production, Lanham says, “When first asked if I was interested in directing this classic, I was immediately excited. After reading the play again several times I became as nervous as a cat ... in a roomful of rocking chairs”.

And rightly so. With not only countless hit Broadway productions under its belt, the popular feature film released in 1954 starring Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman is the benchmark that most people set when coming to see any stage performance of the play.

For those not yet familiar with the plot, 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof' is the story of a wealthy Southern family and takes place over a single evening in the family mansion on the night of breadwinner Big Daddy's 65th birthday. The play delves into familial complications between husband and wife, father and son (even the sisters-in-law have a chance to get their claws out), and the frailty of truth and honesty amongst those you come to believe owe it to you the most. With confrontations and conversations enough to make you squirm in your seat, its themes are certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Despite questionable southern accents by a few of the performers, the intensity of interactions between the characters onstage were such that they managed to outdo other aspects that may have been lacking. As far as standout performances go, William Davies, a Brisbane Arts Theatre veteran of 37 years, can't escape without mention. Taking on the challenging role of Big Daddy, Davies strutted the stage like a man 30 years his junior, his commanding presence reflecting his length of experience in the local acting game. Dominique Mutch (playing Maggie) also offered up an impressive second performance for the Brisbane Arts Theatre, having taken a role in a successful children's production late last year.

With sets and costumes to rival any professional stage production, the Brisbane Arts Theatre can give itself another pat on the back for a job well done.

‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ is playing at the Brisbane Arts Theatre until Sept 4.