Theatre Review: The Price, until 13 February, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

Image by Tim Morozzo

*****

Continuing their run of Arthur Miller plays (this is the fourth in five years), Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum brings director John Dove’s latest adaptation to the stage in the shape of The Price, 1968’s investigation of family and society in early 20th century America.

Returning to his late fathers soon-to-be-demolished apartment to sell what remains of his furniture collection, police sergeant Victor Franz (Greg Powrie) discusses his upcoming retirement with wife Esther (Sally Edwards) as antique dealer Solomon (James Hayes) arrives.

As Victor and Solomon work on a deal for the complete collection, Victor’s older brother Walter (Aden Gillett) turns up, prompting memories of the past to resurface in both brothers as the spectre of their father hangs over them.

As with many Miller scripts, family, loyalty and memory are crucial elements of The Price. From the opening moments, as Victor stalks the room where he and his father spent so much time eking out a living after the 1929 Wall Street Crash, we’re can see the past colliding with the present.

The furniture piled high around the set and the music on the gramophone reinforces Victor’s memories of his youth, the arrival of Walter and his remembrance of the past yet another blow to Victor’s somewhat fragile grasp on his own recollections.

Theatre Preview: The Price, 15 January – 13 February, Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

Update 17 January: Read the review of The Price

If 2009 was a bumpy year for Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre – and judging by the reviews and comments on this blog and around the net for their “interesting” adaptations of well-known plays it certainly was – 2010 looks to be starting a bit more sedately with The Price (Fri 15 January – Sat 13 February).

In Arthur Miller’s play, described by the New York Times as ranking alongside “if not above, Death of a Salesman”, Victor (Greg Powrie) and Walter (Aden Gillet) are estranged brothers, called upon to sort through the belongings of their long-dead father. Victor is weary and defeated, his brother happy and successful.

The paths of their lives split because of one crucial decision made in their past – a decision which will come back to haunt them both, bringing long-held resentments to the surface and exposing painful truths.

Said to be “pithy, funny and deeply moving”, the new trailer tells us a bit more about the production:

Theatre Preview: The Man Who Had all the Luck, 16 January – 14 February, Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

The Lyceum Theatre’s first production of 2009, running from 16 January – 14 February, will be Arthur Miller’s The Man Who Had all the Luck.

The play centres upon David Beeves, who is seemingly immune to disaster and wonders when his luck will run out. His good fortune seems to highlight the tragedies of those around him as he tries desperately to find justification for his successes. David’s futile quest for a validation of his identity results in a deepening paranoia that questions the existence of God and meaning of life.

Directed by John Dove, the play stars Lyceum favourites Kim Gerard (Mary Rose) and Ron Donachie (Six Characters in Search of an Author) alongside Philip Cumbus as David Beeves.

Full details are up now on the Lyceum website.

Photo copyright Douglas MacBride.

Updated 18 January: Review of The Man Who Had All the Luck

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