REVIEW: THE PRICE by Arthur Miller at Marylebone theatre until 7 June 2026
‘Henry Goodman’s portrayal of the wily Gregory Solomon is full of humour, charm and warmth.’ ★★★★
In an interview with Artistic Director Alexander Gifford, he gives insights into his programming choices and why The Price has been cherry picked as an in-house production. The Marylebone building is Rudolf Steiner House, and it underwent a rebrand three years ago when it was relaunched as Marylebone Theatre. Alexander is very keen to infuse their work with qualities that arise out of Rudolf Steiner’s vision for theatre. So, how far has he been successful with this production of Miller’s searing critique of capitalism and the American Dream?
When entering the theatre, the set immediately grabs and holds the attention, it is a magnificent show piece. It spreads out and beyond the stage showcasing a huge attic room with elegant and massive pieces of period furniture, with some of them covered in dust sheets. Nevertheless, it is still easy to make out the shape of a harp, which is central to the evaluation for the purchase of all these objects. This certainly, hits the Steiner vision, of a spiritual world, the beyond, with the skylights and a room full of memories.
The story centres on Victor Franz, a police officer, who is caught in a pivotal moment in his life. Sixteen years after his father’s death, the building in which he lived is to be demolished, so he is selling all his effects and has engaged a dealer, Gregory Solomon, to give him a price for everything. There are many debates about values with his grasping wife and his brother, who left the family behind many years ago to concentrate on his successful career as a doctor.
In a Miller play we can expect huge family rifts and questions about who is right and who is wrong. These are hammered home by the brothers, in this production, coldly and with little enjoyment. It’s a little one note, which is disappointing. Fortunately, Henry Goodman as Gregory Soloman is magnificent. It is thanks to him that the play has humour, charm and warmth. He also offers much contrast, to the brother who are by turns are self-pitying or self-aggrandising. There’s not much to like about them which is a pity because they each have some fine qualities and could potentially be more than mouth pieces for Miller’s debates.
The music too, just misses the mark. It is clear that it attempts to add a sense of something beyond the here and now, a pleasing attempt at the Steiner vision. The problem here is that the actors don’t seem to have any connection to the sound design. There is a disconnect between them.
It is very long play at 2 hours 40 minutes including the interval. Although it might drag occasionally, it is still a production worth the trouble considering the astounding stage design by Jon Bausor and Goodman’s likeable portrayal. His Gregory Solomon is wily and grasping – not least for more life in his final years - but he’s also full of personality, an unforgettable characterisation. Don’t miss it!
Read interview with Artistic Director, Alexander Gifford, here
THE PRICE by Arthur Miller at Marylebone theatre 17 April – 7 June 2026
Cast
Victor Franz: Elliot Cowan
Esther Franz: Faye Castelow
Gregory Solomon: Henry Goodman
Walter Franz: John Hopkins
Director: Jonathan Munby
Set & Costume Designer: Jon Bausor
Lighting Designer: Anna Watson
Sound Designer & Composer: Max Pappenheim
Dialect Coach: Emma Woodvine
Photography: Mark Senior
