Review – The Price

Jan 19 2010 | By More

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Royal Lyceum

Review by Thom Dibdin

Arthur Miller’s late-Sixties hit provides a thoroughly satisfying start to the Royal Lyceum’s year. It’s a piece which, in the right hands, has comedy and depth, as estranged brothers Victor and Walter pick over their dead father’s belongings with furniture dealer Solomon.

It must be said that director John Dove’s hands are the right ones. His previous form with Miller at the Lyceum is strong and this continues the trend. Those who have seen previous productions of the play in Edinburgh in recent years should be nicely surprised.

There’s a real understanding of the complexity of fraternal relationships between Greg Powrie (Vincent) and Aden Gillett (Walter) – Photo by Tim Morozzo

Both Greg Powrie as Victor, the brother who sacrificed all to stay at home and look after their father, and Aden Gillett as Walter, the one who went off and made something of himself, are in great form. James Hayes doesn’t overdo the key comic role of Solomon, which adds gravitas to the whole.

But it is Sally Edwards, seen recently at the Lyceum in Copenhagen, whose performance as Victor’s wife, Esther, really expands and pulls out the play. By making the play’s internal resonances all the more powerful, she succeeds in giving it an added edge of relevance to contemporary times.

If, indeed, such a thing was necessary.

Towering over the playing area, Michael Taylor’s mountainous set of old furniture, built to last by a society which wasn’t, just adds an extra layer to an excellent production.

A production that just begs to be seen again.

Run continues to February 13, 2010.

Further details on the Royal Lyceum Website

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Comments (3)

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  1. Thom Dibdin says:

    Also reviewed in The Stage

    “There’s comedy, depth and a real contemporary resonance to John Dove’s new production of Arthur Miller’s great 1968 hit, The Price, at the Royal Lyceum. Strong performances, intimate direction, tension-building pace and a wonderfully overpowering set all add to the thought-provoking and entertaining show.” read more of the Stage Review.

  2. Thom Dibdin says:

    And the Edinburgh Evening News:

    “TOWERING over the stage of the Royal Lyceum, mountains of furniture dwarf the four performers of The Price, Arthur Miller’s late-Sixties hit about two brothers arguing over their dead father’s belongings.” read more of the Evening News Review.

  3. Martin Gray says:

    One of the best shows I’ll see this year, no doubt about it. Great production, terrific cast.