DEATH OF A SALESMAN: Miller: Leicester Haymarket, till 27 Oct

Leicester

DEATH OF A SALESMAN: Arthur Miller
Haymarket: Tkts 0116 253 9797
Runs: 3h, one interval, till 27th October
Review: Rod Dungate, 11th October 2001

The emotional dynamics are orchestrated with confidence, Joseph Marcell carries Willy Loman superbly.

At a moment when we are being reminded that America is the land of equal opportunities Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN serves as a timely reminder that there are many people who are let down by the American dream. Or, who, in the words of Biff, elder son of Willy Loman, the salesman dumped by his company after 34 years of loyal service, 'land in the ash can.'

Director Kully Thiarai has shifted the play from concentrating on an all-white American family to a mixed race one, reflecting, more closely, modern day Leicester. The shift works well and the play resonates even more strongly for today's audience.

Joseph Marcell (best known to many as the sardonic butler in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) carries Willy Loman superbly. His swings of moods, his great rages, are sudden, unpredictable, unpleasant and entirely forgivable. Willy's inability to see his reality is a huge flaw that clearly cannot be bridged – and it stems from the burdens he has carried all his life. As Marcell's small figure erratically darts about, hands and arms flailing, Willy is a truly tragic figure.

Bearing the brunt of all this anger and frustration, carrying Willy's lies on her shoulders, Helen Bourne's Linda Loman is heart-rendingly dignified. Her angry defence of her husband is an emotional high-spot in the first half.

Thiarai has orchestrated the play's emotional dynamics with confidence: the final family explosion is shocking and upsetting. The intimacy the four family members achieve throughout ratchets up this climax's emotional power.

Emma Donovan has designed an ingenious collection of flying props around the skeletal framework of the Loman's house that allows the action to flow without pause. Thiarai, however, has marred her taut production by over-egging her pudding in places. Extraneous lighting effects, waiters clearing glasses and meetings with accountants serve only to draw attention away from where it should be – on some fine acting.

2001-10-13 18:39:52