REVIEWS REVIEWS
Sean Holmes' production of Arthur Miller's play The Price examines the issues of responsibility, duty and rivalry within the family unit, from the perspective of two estranged brothers. It is set against the backdrop of the 1929 stock market crash, and also explores how these familial responsibilities are made much more urgent in an environment of financial hardship.
The action centres around Victor, excellently played by Larry Lamb, a New York cop returning to his old home sixteen years after the death of his father. The stage, which does not alter throughout the play, is piled high with furniture and resembles a dusty bric-a-brac shop. Victor plans to sell off the furniture and perhaps to provide the funding for the next stage in his life. This money is much needed as Victor dropped out of medical school to care for his father and as the story unfolds, the cost of his sacrifices are unveiled. During the first act, he recounts these sacrifices to Warren Mitchell's Solomon, an 89 year old Russian Jewish émigré turned furniture dealer.
Mitchell's performance is faultless and earned him a well-deserved Olivier Award. His mannerisms and characteristics are completely convincing, and he veers from comedy to pathos with ease. Whilst physically frail, Mitchell's character is mentally shrewd and he tosses off witty one-liners with ease, seeming to celebrate each day that he finds himself alive. The rest of the cast are equally talented, and Sian Thomas is excellent as Victor's outspoken wife, who finds herself pushing Victor to ensure their future financial stability. Des McAleer plays the successful brother, Walter, a suave, thriving doctor and the tension between the two brothers grows as they become increasingly honest about their past actions. Each member of the four-person cast is excellent, and the play itself has lost none of its immediacy. © KA
“The Price” is in Bath on the 13th of August until the 18th of September, 2004.
