A brilliantly performed new version of a must-see classic

REVIEW: 'Death of a Salesman' at the New Theatre

There's a chance to see one of the 20th century's greatest plays in Cardiff this week, as Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman visits the New Theatre.

It's a gritty, stripped-back new production, directed by Andy Arnold, and we were lucky to be invited to last night's (Tuesday) opening night.

David Hayman leads the cast as Willy Loman, a 60-something salesman in late 1940s Brooklyn.

Willy has spent his working life on the road, selling to stores in the cities of New England.

But his best days are behind him - if they were ever really as good as he makes out. Now he struggles to keep up with the bills, is a danger behind the wheel, and his mental health seems to be in a steep decline.

What's the way out? Get back on the road and hope his luck changes? Demand his young boss gives him an easier local job in New York? Or something more final?

It's a powerful story as we follow Willy's last 24 hours, filled with half-remembered episiodes from the past, dreams of his idealised dead brother, and difficult real-life present-day relationships with his adult sons, Biff (Daniel Cahill) and Happy (Michael Wallace), and long-suffering wife, Linda (Beth Marshall).

That lead cast is excellent, and ably supported by Benny Young, Gavin John Wright, Charlene Boyd, Simon Donaldson, Stewart Ennis, Fay Guiffo, Bailey Newsome, and Gillian Massey.

When not performing, the actors sit either side of the stage, in full view of the audience, also observing the action and some of them playing the incidental music (composed by sound designer Niroshini Thambar). It's an intriguing touch, which helps suggest the characters are always lurking in Willy's mind - pulled to the fore when he recalls some significant moment from his life.

Very much set in a particular time (costumes by Vicki Brown help with that), yet in many ways timeless, this is a challenging, often sombre play. There are moments of humour, but that doesn't make it any less uncomfortable to watch a man's life unravelling uncontrollably.

It's a long and dialogue-heavy piece, but Arnold's direction drives it along and delivers a very physical experience: Biff (a stand-out performance by Daniel Cahill) in particular paces and rages like a caged animal - he's a strong man, who could have been a football star, but that dream, like others, now lies shattered.

The action is suitably framed by a sparse set design (by Neil Haynes) and helped by clever lighting (by Rory Beaton).

Among its many accolades, Death of a Salesman won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony for best play, when it opened on Broadway in 1949. It's easy to see why it made such an impact more than 75 years ago.

It remains a must-see classic, and this production is a brilliantly performed new take on a 20th century masterpiece.

Death of a Salesman is at the New Theatre until Saturday, age guidance 12+. You can order tickets from the box office on 0343 310 0041 or online here.

Review by Andy Weltch

Photos by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

We received free tickets for this performance in exchange for an honest review