Death of a Salesman at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh

We may be led to believe that, at 77, David Hayman is on the way out. In his latest TV role, in ITV's Protection, he plays a man who is diagnosed with dementia while recovering from a stroke. Now, in Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning play he plays Willy Loman, a man who loses his mind and, ultimately, his life.

But Hayman is 100 percent alive and well, and a Titan of the stage in this touring production from Trafalgar Theatre and Raw Material.

Slight in stature, his stage presence is mighty as the travelling salesman who is unhappy with his lot and how his two sons have turned out.

But he has competition. Daniel Cahill, especially, is captivating as his son Biff, while Stewart Ennis is both flamboyant and eerie as Willy's dead brother Ben, whom Willy talks to, and Gavin Jon Wright as the geeky son of neighbour Charley adds a light touch to what is essentially a tragedy…of family feuds, relationships, lack of money and insecurities, as pertinent today as it was 75 years ago. Added praise must go to every member of the Scottish cast, for their American accents!

Set in 1949, the year it premiered in New York, it has been heralded as one of the greatest plays of the 20th century so is a must see for theatre buffs.

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Image: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Death of a Salesman is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh until March 22.

It will then continue to tour:

Mar 27-29: Lyceum Theatre Crewe

Apr 1-5: New Theatre Cardiff

Apr 8-12: Palace Theatre Southend

Apr 15-19: Gaiety Theatre Dublin

Apr 22-26: Wycombe Swan High Wycombe

Apr 29-May 3: Fareham LIVE