Latest production of ‘Death of a Salesman’ is powerfully transformative theatre

Arthur Miller’s greatest American play, Death of a Salesman, directed by Neil Armfield and produced by Andrew Henry, is currently on at Crown Theatre, and presenting it is a magnificent alchemy of award-winning cast and crew.

The 1949 Pulitzer Prize winning play boasts the indelible Anthony LaPaglia as central character Willy Loman, the titular salesman. LaPaglia is captivating, and larger than life, performing alongside the superb Alison Whyte as his devoted wife Linda. Whyte’s performance, in short, is stunning, while the rest of the cast is a joy to watch as they frame the set, intensely sitting in the background bleachers of Ebbet’s Field, watching the action unfold, keeping us entranced.

Most theatre-goers have studied Miller’s greatest work and possibly seen incarnations of the play over the years. This production is next-level, emotionally gripping, exceeding expectations, and resonating with the audience long after curtain fall.

Death of a Salesman is still relevant today – a story of a self-deluded and depressed traveling salesman and his family’s ongoing distress is fairly relatable with the current economic crisis and high cost of living. The theme of survival of the fittest in an irreverent society of change that leaves the older generation behind is all very real. Fear of change, denying the truth or, like Willy, struggling to keep up with the hungry, younger competition are also themes many of us can relate to.

Willy Loman believes in the American dream of easy success and wealth but after working tirelessly his entire life, he never achieves this. Nor do his sons fulfil his hope that they will succeed where he has failed. Biff and Happy grow up adoring their father, believing his false claims that everyone on the traveling road knows his name, boasting a reputation that is a lie fed from his insecurity and shame.

The flashback scenes are beautifully integrated to reveal how the older versions of the sons have now become jaded under the pressure to carry the family cross of success, as it has become too much to bear.

In a climactic scene between Biff and his father, we witness an emotionally-charged, heart-wrenching moment, so unbearable in its depiction of fatherly disappointment and a son’s resolve of the harsh truth, that there was not a dry eye in the house. We cried for all our long-suffering fathers and our pitiful sons in a fashion that cuts painfully deep.

Josh Helman, who plays Biff, has proven himself a star of the stage, the juxtaposition of his vulnerability and brute strength, a solid mass of a man, expressed well. In every gesture – from furrowed brow to pained squint you see this guy’s pain.

Neil Armfield’s masterpiece, Death of a Salesman is a warm, profound character study, and a memorable theatre experience of an honourable play, with an unmatched ensemble that just keeps giving.

Annette McCubbin

‘Death of Salesman’ is on at Crown Theatre, Perth until Thursday 29 August. Tickets are available through the usual outlets and the Crown website.