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Resonant dramatic autopsy on the death of the American Dream
Conflicted: Ashley Zhangazha (Biff) and Don Warrington (Willy Loman) [Johan Persson]

Death of a Salesmen
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

MILLIONS of US citizens believe that the their constitution enshrines the right of “every citizen to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination and individual initiative.”

But the reality of the American Dream is very different. Achieving it is exclusively for the 1 per cent.

Willy Loman, the poor schmuck at the centre of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, is determined, works hard and instils in his sons the importance of achieving success. Yet, after 36 years criss-crossing New England trying to sell whatever wares his bosses want sold, his reward is to be reduced to earning his corn through commission only.

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