THEATRE 
REVIEWS
The Price
York Theatre Royal
York
ENGLAND
What price families?
A beautifully written play performed with skill and feeling by a talented quartet of actors. Arthur Miller takes you into the nightmare of dealing with the affairs of a deceased parent in The Price. All the troubles between siblings come to a head in this philosophical look at a meeting with a buyer of effects needing to be disposed of; a sharp practice Jewish appraiser, supposedly aged 89, though he is up to every trick in the book to buy the goods at the right price and the age may be another ruse. The word price then takes another direction as the participents in this drama recount the events in their lives and appoint blame to each other for the price of their destiny. So we are off into the mind of one of the worlds best playwrights and are regally entertained.
Robert G Slade is told by Stuart Richman
Robert G Slade gives us the cop Victor, with twenty eight years service, who had aspirations in science as a young man, but now wondering what his retirement holds for him. He is comforted by a whily old man played by Stuart Richman in the guise of Solomon, the Jewish dealer come to give a price for the contents of the family home. Amanda Bellamy is the disillusioned wife Esther wanting more and feeling defrauded. Add to this mix the brother Walter, played by Peter Banks, successful without the satisfaction, as a doctor. Then all the secrets of the years are revealed and a fascinating story is told.
Direction was handled with skill by Neil Sissons to give the audience an insight into the life and times of America in the sixties. A cluttered set depicting the house contents of years is designed by Neil Irish. The only thing that marred this production was the lighting designed by Jason Taylor. Lights seen from the auditorium displayed on poles and cabling strewn across the stage which should have been hidden behind proscenium pillars and the back of the set.
This audience had to think as the words were coming at them in a furious torrent, but the content was intellectually stimulating. A great evening of theatre appreciated by all who had a chance to experience it. If this production by The Compass Theatre Company comes your way make every effort to see it. © BA
“The Price” is at York Theatre Royal from the 1st May to the 5th May, 2007 and then touring. This is a No Smoking theatre. Council car parking charge £2 visitor and £1 resident from 6pm until Midnight.
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