Death of a Salesman Director's Vision
14 Pall Mart
Belgravia
London SW10
Pier 4
Hickson Road
Walsh Bay
NSW 2000
I write to you to propose the production of Arthur Miller’s classic “Death of a Salesman.” As the title suggests, the book is about the death of a salesman named Willy Loman. However, through my production, it is not the inevitable ending that will be remembered by the audience. It will be the processes that led to Willy’s conflicted mind that will resonate in the audience’s mind. The underlying values of blind faith in the American dream and the narrow-minded definition of success, which are exemplified in Willy Loman, combine to form an example of a self-inflicted demise. However, through my production, the reasons behind Willy’s adherence to these values, which are Uncle Ben and Linda, demand the question whether Willy is a tragic or pathetic figure. All these factors that lead to Willy’s demise, will be depicted in the dramatic techniques of characterisation, setting, costumes and props. What I will achieve is the audience psychoanalysing Willy Loman, to answer whether Willy’s death was self-inflicted or rather a reflection on the overwhelming, uncontrollable nature of his life.
The audience will also engage in the play because of the modern relevance that I will convey. The death of Willy is not only physical but it is also the death of the American capitalism, the ideals that Willy adheres to. This is applicable to the 21st century, as American suffers from an economic recession. However, at a personal level, the processes that lead to the death of capitalism such as overwhelming pressure to succeed, can also relate to the audience.
The setting used in the play will be used to reinforce the internal and external factors that led to the conflicted mind of Willy Loman. The city pressures that Willy endure are represented by “towering, angular shapes behind [Willy's house], surrounding it on all sides. The roofline of the house is one-dimensional; under and over it we see
Belgravia
London SW10
Pier 4
Hickson Road
Walsh Bay
NSW 2000
I write to you to propose the production of Arthur Miller’s classic “Death of a Salesman.” As the title suggests, the book is about the death of a salesman named Willy Loman. However, through my production, it is not the inevitable ending that will be remembered by the audience. It will be the processes that led to Willy’s conflicted mind that will resonate in the audience’s mind. The underlying values of blind faith in the American dream and the narrow-minded definition of success, which are exemplified in Willy Loman, combine to form an example of a self-inflicted demise. However, through my production, the reasons behind Willy’s adherence to these values, which are Uncle Ben and Linda, demand the question whether Willy is a tragic or pathetic figure. All these factors that lead to Willy’s demise, will be depicted in the dramatic techniques of characterisation, setting, costumes and props. What I will achieve is the audience psychoanalysing Willy Loman, to answer whether Willy’s death was self-inflicted or rather a reflection on the overwhelming, uncontrollable nature of his life.
The audience will also engage in the play because of the modern relevance that I will convey. The death of Willy is not only physical but it is also the death of the American capitalism, the ideals that Willy adheres to. This is applicable to the 21st century, as American suffers from an economic recession. However, at a personal level, the processes that lead to the death of capitalism such as overwhelming pressure to succeed, can also relate to the audience.
The setting used in the play will be used to reinforce the internal and external factors that led to the conflicted mind of Willy Loman. The city pressures that Willy endure are represented by “towering, angular shapes behind [Willy's house], surrounding it on all sides. The roofline of the house is one-dimensional; under and over it we see