Willy Loman has spent his whole life "way out there in the blue, riding a smile and a shoeshine”, proud of his ability to sell anything to anyone and to provide for his family. Now he finds himself at the end of his career, and at the end of his rope. He's lost his job, the respect of his sons, and finally, his hope.
Tony award-winning Brian Dennehy, makes his West End debut as Willy Loman, in Robert Falls' production of Death Of A Salesman alongside British theatre and television stars Clare Higgins (Vincent In Brixton & Hecuba) and Douglas Henshall.
Written by the legendary Arthur Miller, whose other plays include The Crucible, All My Sons and A View From The Bridge, Death Of A Salesman is a work of tremendous emotional impact, as relevant today as when it premiered fifty-five years ago.
This production, which was originally presented by the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 1998, transferred to Broadway the following year where it won five Tony Awards including ‘Best Revival’, ‘Best Direction’ and ‘Best Actor’ for Brian Dennehy.
Brian Dennehy says, “For me, the true test of great drama throughout the world has always been the West End. Playing this production in London will be the fulfilment of a lifetime dream”.
Award-winning actress Clare Higgins will star as ‘Linda Loman’ opposite Brian Dennehy. She has recently been seen on the London stage in “Hecuba” and “Vincent in Brixton”.
Douglas Henshall and Mark Bazeley will play Loman’s sons ‘Biff’ and ‘Happy’.
Howard Witt will repeat his Broadway performance as ‘Charley’.
The cast of 18 also includes Steve Pickering as ‘Howard’ and Allen Hamilton as ‘Uncle Ben’ (both reprising their Broadway roles), Jonathan Aris as ‘Bernard’, Samantha Coughlan as ‘Miss Forsythe’, Eleanor Howell as ‘Letta’ and Abigail McKern as ‘The Woman’.
The West End production of Death of a Salesman will be staged by the entire original Chicago and Broadway creative team. Scenic design is by Mark Wendland, costume design by Birgit Rattenborg Wise, lighting by Michael Philippi and original music and sound by Richard Woodbury. Death of a Salesman is directed by Robert Falls, who won a Tony Award for this production.