REVIEW - David Hayman's performance in Death of a Salesman is stunning and connects with the audience perfectly

On Wednesday, we were invited to Lowry in Salford to see Death Of A Salesman. Read what our reviewer, Julie Wilson had to say about this powerful drama...

The iconic Arthur Miller classic ‘Death of a Salesman’ was brought to life by Andy Arnold at Lowry.  The production navigates the complexity of ambition and the American dream whilst exploring themes of family disillusionment.

The play begins with a bleak backdrop of a tree at dusk, mirroring the principal character’s troubled mind, struggling with memory loss and reflecting on what he deems as his mediocre life, still desperate to achieve greatness. 

Neil Haynes simple set of a few chairs with the entire cast sat upon stage for the full performance allows the audience to capture the despair of Willy being constantly watched (and haunted by his past).Excitement is also built as the motionless characters suddenly appear on the stage, bringing life to their characters, and special mention should go to Bernard played by Gavin Jon Wright. 

Willy Loman played by David Hayman is a travelling salesman at the end of 35 years service, the world has moved on and left Willy behind, struggling to provide for his family and haunted by his memories and past successes.

David Hayman portrayal of the salesman is stunning with 3 hours off continuous script, Hayman manages to captivate the salesman’s fragility, despair and madness with perfect timing. His performance allowed the audience to connect with Willy’s dreams, hope and despair evoking a sense of empathy.

Hayman’s chemistry with Daniel Cahill as Biff was both emotional and powerful throughout capturing the tense relationship they share. There final scene is a standout as Biff is still misunderstood by his father.

Willy is not only haunted by what could have been in his past, but also his past failures, namely, his extra marital affair with a younger woman played by Charlene Boyd with her striking looks and loud personality is a stark contrast to his plain and meek wife, providing Willy with an outlet to his ‘boring’ existence. Her eerie laugh is heard at various points throughout the play, in particular, the finale, and is another powerful tool to capture Willy’s fragmented mind.

The transition from present to past is cleverly encapsulated in the brightening of the background as Willy on happier times. It is a story of a man who is never truly satisfied with his life and instead lives a life of fantasy and delusion; exaggerating his own success and his sons’.

A special mention must go to Daniel Cahill, Biff and Michael Wallace as Happy they are a strong and energetic duo of brothers who give us emotion and tension in equal amounts both lost in their father’s expectations.

During the finale, tension is built; Cahill’s candid and emotionally raw performance; after years of oppressed feelings, he explodes; exposing the truth of his and his family’s life.

Beth Marshall as Linda plays the gentle loving wife of Willy, who forever supports her husband alongside constantly reminding and address her son’s who do not seem to understand what is happening to their father..

The stark lighting on Linda’s face at the end of the play perfectly complements her grief and allows a deeper connection with the audience; evoking sadness as she is finally able to cry; expressing how she cannot understand why Willy’s life was not enough for him. It is a reminder of how mental health, particularly acute in the modern world, not only impacts those who suffer, but also those left behind. 

WE SCORE DEATH OF A SALESMAN...

Death of a Salesman is on at Lowry, Salford until Saturday 3rd May 2025


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