Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tickets and more information: https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/death-of-a-salesman-tickets
Booking until: 4th January 2020
Run time: 3hrs
Production Photographs by: Brinkhoff Mogenburg

After a highly successful run at the Young Vic earlier this year, Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell’s stunning production of Arthur Miller’s classic has landed in the West End. Following the Loman family as the head of the household Willie’s mental health starts to decline, Death of A Salesman asks how far are you willing to go to achieve the (so called) American Dream?

What instantly makes this production stand out is that the Loman family is played by all actors of colour. As these roles are typically played by white actors, the use of actors of colour creates additional layers to the piece that heavily imply how race could affect a person like Willie. One example is the scene where his (younger and white) boss is firing him? The optics on moments like that are unmissable.

Giving an incredible central performance as Willie is Wendell Pierce. His performance is undeniably moving, heartbreaking and devastating to watch. The man looks absolutely shattered by the curtain call, giving the audience an indication on how dedicated he is to his performance. Alongside him as his wife Linda is the incomparable Sharon D Clarke. Her performance is stunning but I feel like she’s not highlighted enough in this production, (although I would put this down to Miller’s script rather than the direction). That said, when she shines, the audience is practically blinded by her. Playing their sons are fast rising stars Sope Dirisu as Biff and Natey Jones as Happy. Both actors give incredibly strong performances, but the moment where Biff learns that his father isn’t as amazing as he’s always believed him to be, is genuinely quite heartbreaking.

Directors Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell have delivered a brilliant and truly outstanding production. After their work together on Angels In America and Company, Death of A Salesman proves they are the ultimate dream team. Although, personally, I do think the production lost a little bit of the intimate magic it had at the Young Vic by being in a bigger space. However, I am chuffed it has transferred anyway because now more people will get to see these incredible and unmissable performances.

Until next time,