|
Search this site
powered by FreeFind |
|
|
Playwright, Arthur Miller, takes the idea of Greek tragedy and moves it to 1950s New York, to the Italian community that works in the docks. A family lawyer acts as the chorus, revealing the fatal clash between Eddie, a hard working docker with traditional views about women, and his niece, Catherine, who wants more of the freedom enjoyed by young American women. Eddie cannot bear the thought of losing her and breaks the other Italian ideal of loyalty in order to keep her.
The play focuses on the living room in Eddie's flat but the use of transparent screens brought in the rough world of the docks and moody music played on stage by members of the cast emphasised the brooding atmosphere of tragedy.
Philip Whitchurch was superb as Eddie, desperately torn between conflicting values. Philip Reed captured the sunny disposition of a young Italian immigrant, unworried by the traditions of his community while James Waverley was also superb as his brother, caught up in the old codes of honour and loyalty. The actresses in the cast didn't quite match these standards: both Maria Lawson and Diana Croft have high voices which sometimes became shrill and inaudible.
The show makes an enthralling evening in the theatre - well worth seeing.
BBC Essex Online
The images, text and design of this website are subject to copyright and no part of the site is to be reproduced without the permission of the webmaster