Death of a Salesman

Sligo Drama Circle Producer, Liam Mc Kinney, has reason to be optimistic if he hopes to retain the Esso Trophy, the All-Ireland Premier Drama Award, this year. Last season, the town was taken by storm with “A Streetcar Named Desire” but “Death of a Salesman” which was staged in the Town Hall, Sligo, last weekend has made an even greater impact. When Mr. Joe Meehan of the Drama Circle spoke at the conclusion of the three night run on Saturday night, he referred to the revival of interest in drama in Sligo, adding that audiences had been the best for ten years.

Mc Kinney must take a fair share of the credit for this success because he has injected a new life into amateur drama with a concept which is entirely his own. And the audience reaction to “Death of a Salesman” indicates that he is giving the public what they want – plays of substance. Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-Winner is such a play. It is life as it is lived as it was lived in America thirty years ago and as it is now. Perhaps it is no great credit to humanity that the rat race or the “jungle” holds no place for an idealist but there again, reality must be looked in the eye. To opt out is to admit defeat.

Shane Cleary is the Salesman and, in fact, it is he who sells the production. His performance was simply masterful, his best ever by far, and he captivated the attendance and held them spellbound throughout. Cormac Sheridan, the unsettled ex-superstar dropout, Biff, gave a memorable performance of a difficult part which demanded all his experience as an actor while Eily Kilgannon as Salesman’s wife, portrayed sincerity, feeling and emotion like a veteran of the stage. Newcomers, Brian Mc Hugh as Happy and David Johnston as Bernard will be heard of more in the future and Charley, played by Lionel Gallagher, was another who really got on top of his part.

Space does not afford a mention for all but special tribute must be made to those in charge of lighting, sound effects, set and stage. Perhaps the only thing which takes from the production, and many will agree, is the liberal use of invective. Incidentally, those who did not get to see the play really missed out and they should keep an eye out for the repeat performances later in the season.

The cast was Willy Loman – Shane Cleary; Linda – Eily Kilgannon; Biff – Cormac Sheridan; Happy – Brian Mc Hugh; Bernard – Davis Johnston; The Woman – Maureen Gallagher; Uncle Ben – Manus Shields; Howard Wagner – Eddie Tighe; Jenny – Catherine Clancy; Stanley – Cormac Molloy; Miss Forsythe – Dee O’ Connor; Letta – Corina Gilbride; Waiter – Seán Scanlon; Extras – Sheila Horan, Seán Foley. Stage Assistants – Geoff Rose, Liam Nulty; Tape Editors – Shane Cleary and Liam Mc Kinney; Sound – Frank Brannigan and Seán Foley; Sets – Aidan Sexton and Liam Mc Kinney; Design – Liam Mc Kinney; Stage Management – Seán Scanlon, Marion Reidy, Una Lappin; Lighting – Aidan Sexton and John Mc Gettrick.

from The Sligo Champion, March 5th, 1971