UK Theatre Network

Clashes between siblings fascinate us, perhaps because we see in them the human urge to compete and succeed. 'The Price' centres round two brothers, one more successful than the other, just like 'The Man Who Had All The Luck', the Arthur Miller play John Dove directed at the Lyceum this time last year, and it makes for spell-binding theatre, every moment bristling with tension.

When their father dies, estranged brothers Victor and Walter are forced together to price the family furniture. Despite pressure from his wife to haggle with the dealer, Victor accepts the old man's first offer, perhaps taking pity on him, as he did with his own father. But just before the money changes hands, the wealthier brother, Walter, arrives unexpectedly, bargains for a better price and even offers Victor a job. The only problem is that Walter's bargaining skills and generosity not only show Victor up in front of his wife, they also add insult to the injury of perceived greivances from the past.

Indeed there is no getting away from old scores that need to be settled and the sense of being trapped by family history is reflected in the claustrophobic set. Antiques are precariously stacked in an intricate and fascinating design, while a long-silent harp and empty chair serve as ghostly reminders of the brothers' dead parents.

Just as the antiques are piled high like over-lapping memories so Miller cleverly layers up our understanding of their family history. The brothers exchange fragments of their past but, as soon as we believe one version of events, another slant on them threatens to undermine our first take. This sense of competing points of view is something Victor himself experiences as his long-held convictions that Walter is to be demonised and their father idolised are suddenly called into question.

The notion of clearing away the layers of denial to get to reality is alluded to in a particularly entertaining speech  by the old furniture dealer, Solomon. He explains that people don't like to buy antique furniture because its durability doesn't allow the owner the subsequent distraction of shopping for replacements. Instead the permanence of antique furniture forces people to face facts, as the brothers realise all too well.

While Solomon has some of the most profound lines in the play he also provides a great deal of light relief and James Hayes' performance is a real treat for the audience.

Taking things lightly is also a theme of the play, as one of Victor's problems is taking life too seriously and not being able to trust anyone. Just like David Beeves in 'The Man Who Had All The Luck' so Victor has trouble taking the good fortune being offered to him at face value.

When it comes to comparing 'The Price' with last year's Miller play directed by Dove, 'The Man Who Had All The Luck' was a thought-provoking piece of theatre, impressively performed, but 'The Price' surpasses it in terms of audience engagement, perhaps because it focuses instead on the less successful brother  and we find ourselves very involved in Victor's struggle, willing him to take Walter's offer and succeed despite his past. We feel as infuriated with Victor as his wife does, to witness Walter believing in his younger brother but having difficulty convincing Victor of his own self-worth. The question is, will Victor have the confidence to let go of the past and take up Walter's offer? Will he have the courage to value himself highly enough?

Indeed despite 'The Price' being about two brothers, one more successful than the other, Walter believes their bond goes deeper than their sibling rivalry and the play instead invites us to reflect on the value we are prepared to put on ourselves. Powerful, poignant stuff. 

Felicity Thomson

'The Price'  by Arthur Miller, directed by John Dove
The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
15th  January- 13th February 2010