BWW Reviews: DEATH OF A SALESMAN, The Noel Coward Theatre, May 14 2015

One hundred years after Arthur Miller's birth, the Noel Coward Theatre is housing one of Miller's best-known works. The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Death of a Salesman is exactly what you might expect: it contains astounding performances and the faithful interpretation of Miller's devices. Director Gregory Doran proves that this script simply does not need to be reimagined to say something to a contemporary audience. Certain statements regarding commercialism still ring hideously true.

Set in 1948 America, Death of a Salesman is the story of Willy Loman: husband, father, salesman and staunch subscriber to the American dream. When not travelling for work, Willy lives with his faithful wife, Linda and is visited by his sons, Happy and - more occasionally - Biff. However, the all-too common tragedy of Willy's story is that he has worked hard for many years and now feels he has little to show for it. Life has not rewarded Willy's efforts in the way he desired and the way consumerist societies tells us is correct. Willy feels personally responsible for his failure and struggles to confront reality. The resultant, profound effects on his person and are the stuff of Miller's modern tragedy.

Doran has done a beautiful job. This is a fairly long play, but the pace flowed throughout and the dialogue was brought to life with utter realism, highlighting the play's humour and poignancy. Miller's use of what he called the "continuous present" means the audience is presented with the Willy's memories alongside the present day - a technique which enables much insight and earned Salesman a place in theatrical history.

Anthony Sher's Willy Loman is remarkable. Though not necessarily likeable, he is utterly pitiful - all the more so for his delusion and determination to be otherwise. Sher's vocalisation is also particularly impressive, as is Harriet Walter's, who gives a beautiful performance as Linda. In a strong ensemble cast, Joshua Richards, Alex Hassell, Sam Marks and Guy Paul also give sterling performances.

Though Paul Englishby's score is sometimes slightly cloying and overwhelms the action, this may well be the desired effect. However, the penultimate scene's sound effect does seem clumsy and I was disappointed by what I thought was awkward direction in a production so subtle and intelligent in every other respect.

All in all, though, this is a truly excellent production of a great play and should be high on theatre-goers' priority lists.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Death of a Salesman is running at the Noel Coward Theatre until 18 July 2015, following its run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

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