Marylebone theatre, London
A tremendous cast lifts what might have been a formulaic drama into a compelling examination of contested memory
Arthur Miller is evidently speaking to the moment. Several revivals have surged on to London stages, almost at once, all refracting the corruptions of power, wealth and conformity in our current world. This odd, explosive drama about two estranged brothers follows the recent, stupendous West End revival of All My Sons and the mysterious, magnetic Broken Glass at the Young Vic.
The scenario is simple: Victor (Elliot Cowan), a disgruntled man approaching 50, invites furniture dealer Gregory Solomon (Henry Goodman) to buy his late father’s old yet prized possessions from a building that will soon be demolished. They spend half the play brokering the deal until Victor’s more successful – and to him disloyal – brother Walter (John Hopkins) turns up, whereupon the play reveals its true face as a fractious family face-off.
