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Life at The Little Theatre column: The hopes, dreams and tragedy of 1940s America

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Zainab Noor

InYourArea Community, Zainab Noor

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Life at The Little Theatre column: The hopes, dreams and tragedy of 1940s America

Andrew Sloman as Willy Loman and Steve Pritchard as Ben Loman

By Jennifer Corcoran and Andrew Sloman

Willy Loman’s slow, weary walk on to the stage at the start of Death of a Salesman, heralding the beginning of the long requiem that is his story, is one of the most famous entrances in twentieth-century drama.

Death of a Salesman, a ‘tragedy of the common man’, is a play about hopes and dreams. Our company first started their slow walk to staging this soaring masterpiece two and a half-years-ago, hoping to open in March 2020. We rescheduled for February 2022, only for dreams to be dashed once more as Omicron swept through the cast with days to go.

This is a complex and challenging production: told in a series of scenes; flowing seamlessly between Willy Loman’s rose-tinted dreams and his starker reality; moving backwards and forwards in time with barely a break in step or pause for breath.

Helen Pickavance and Andrew Sloman as Linda & Willy Loman

No-one involved in the original 1949 production was sure how audiences would react. The play’s author, Arthur Miller recalls the first night - when the curtain came down there followed an awkward silence and palpable tension. Moments later, thunderous applause erupted. People were openly weeping. Crowds persisted for some time, discussing its themes and how the story had moved them.

Death of a Salesman is a critique of ‘The American Dream’ and how the ruthless pursuit of wealth and success can destroy the individual. Miller’s skilful, richly woven prose takes the story from the perspective of its protagonist, Willy, but explores how his ultimately devastating refusal to let go of his unachievable dreams impacts on his loved ones.

It is a dark, intense piece, but also one which delivers moments of great light and humour. It is engaging and moving, ever driving forward to its tragic conclusion. The cast and production team have worked incredibly hard to do justice to this classic and are looking forward to finally being able to bring it to you.

Death of a Salesman opens on Friday, July 15 and runs to Saturday,  July 23 with performances at 7.30pm. Tickets are available via the Little Theatre Southport website - or box office in person or via 01704 530521 between 11am to 1pm – and from 6pm to curtain up on show nights.

For more information about Southport Dramatic Club, visit our website. For updates, pictures, trivia and competitions follow us on Facebook or Instagram or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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