Death of a Salesman

By Arthur Miller

Directed By Sian Davis

12-26 August 2023

Company Theatre

Set in the late 1940's in Brooklyn, New York, Willy has been a true believer in the American Dream that promises through working hard, that success is available to every American.

But when he doesn't find that success, he begins to lose a grip on reality.

This hugely successful play is most relevant today. Many families, despite working hard, still find it difficult to get ahead, to own a home, to pay off a mortgage. What does it mean to be successful today? What brings happiness?

With a large, enthusiastic, talented cast of 12 , this absorbing play brings a cross section of generational views. From the young, just starting out, with new dreams, through to the older generation, questioning if dreams ever existed.

This production has something for all. It is not to be missed.

Special prices for Saturdays of just $22 a ticket.

CAST

<b>Reg Williams</b>

Reg Williams

Willy Loman

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Reg first appeared with Company Theatre in Sian Davis' thrilling production of All My Sons playing Joe Keller. Other productions for Company Theatre include Deathtrap as Sydney and directing Shaw's Arms and the Man. Recent work as a director includes The Crucible, 12 Angry Men, Evita and A Streetcar Named Desire, all for Centrestage Theatre. Favourite roles include Frank Educating Rita, Kipps A Woman in Black, George Same TIme Next Year and Freddie Noises Off. Classical roles for Cliveden Festival Company include Petruchio and Mercutio, he toured with Ubiquitous Theatre Company appearing in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell and The Killing Game.

He teaches drama preparing students for Trinity College (London) qualifications to diploma level.

<b>Lynn Webster</b>

Lynn Webster

Linda Loman

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Lynn is delighted to return to Company Theatre having played Big Mama in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2021 for which she won a NAPTA award, also directed by Sian Davis. Last year she appeared in the musical version of Little Women at Auckland Musical Theatre and the Katy Brand play 3 Women at Dolphin Theatre. Pre-Covid she had other outings at Company, another Arthur Miller play, All My Sons (again the “dream team” of Sian as director and playing opposite Reg Williams) and at the other end of the tragic/comic scale Roger Hall’s Last Legs! Lynn has found the character of Linda a familiar one having grown up in post WW II USA in a family living “the American dream”.

<b>Geoff Allen</b>

Geoff Allen

Uncle Ben (Willy’s brother) 

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Geoff left art school in 1984 to pursue a life in the performing arts. He's worked on films, both here and overseas, many NZ TV shows, and dozens of stage shows. Oscar Wilde, in 2016, was one of his favourites.
Over the last 15 years he had become known more as a writer / director with Galatea Theatre.
He said yes to Uncle Ben, to share the stage with his son - Aidan; before taking a break from the performing arts, to focus more on his novel writing.

<b>Chloe Smith</b>

Chloe Smith

Leta/Jenny

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Chloe is a Performing Arts teacher for an Intermediate School in Auckland. Prior to this, she worked behind the scenes at TVNZ for the 'Breakfast Show.' Her passion for drama has seen her land roles in shows at The Rose Centre and Centre Stage. Some of the shows she has performed in include, All My Sons, Deathtrap, A Streetcar Named Desire and The History Boys.

She also directs an annual performance on stage at the Aotea Centre for NZ's biggest student drama show called 'Showquest.' Chloe is thrilled to be a part of Death of A Salesman and take on the roles of Letta and Jenny. 

<b>Jessica Silva</b>

Jessica Silva

Miss Forsythe

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Jessica Silva plays Miss Forsythe in Death of a Salesman. This is her first performance with Company Theatre. 

Originally from Brazil, where she studied theatre at university, and kickstarted her career, ten years ago.  Now, she hopes to pursue her acting career, here in New Zealand, both on stage and film.

<b>Martin Rhodes</b>

Martin Rhodes

Howard Wagner

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This will be Martins debut performance with Company theatre, and he is excited to be involved with such a talented cast and production team.

Martin has performed for many years in musical theatre both in London and Auckland with favourite roles including Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Curly in Oklahoma, The Russian in Chess the Musical, and more recently Caractacus Potts in Centrestage theatre’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Martin has only recently discovered the magic of non-musical plays, having performed the roles of Juror Number 4, in 12 Angry Men and Judge Hathorne in The Crucible. Both at Centrestage Theatre and directed by Reg Williams.

<b>Dion Hunt</b>

Dion Hunt

Charley, a neighbour

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Dion returned to the NZ stage in 2022 as Michael Novak in "God of Carnage" (Dir: Kate Birch, Company Theatre) and later as Wesley in "Jerusalem" (Dir: Kristoff Haines, Company Theatre) for which he was nominated for a NAFTA. He has since played various roles in the sold-out musical "Catch Me If You Can" with DeBase Theatre. His return came after a hiatus from the theatre world having spent time on stage in Sydney and throughout Australia, in the UK (where he studied at LAMDA, Pineapple Studios and various other institutions), after performing as a youth and then a young man in Auckland where he grew up. Death of a Salesman was his favourite non-Shakespeare play that he studied at highschool, so to be a part of this production is a bit of a bucket-list moment.

<b>Max Wilton</b>

Max Wilton

Stanley, The Waiter

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Max studied drama at Takapuna Grammar School, where he performed in the 2016 Sheilah Winn Shakespeare competition. He also performed in 2 school musical productions: Oliver in 2015 and as Eugene in Grease in 2017. At university, he produced several short films as part of a Cinematic Arts major. 

<b>Grant Zent</b>

Grant Zent

Bernie, Charley's Son

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A recent acting graduate from South Seas Film and Television School, Grant has starred in numerous stage and screen productions; including the lead in the short film ‘Trolley’, directed by Danny Mulheron, and Puck in Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, directed by Nick Brown, for which he won the critic’s choice award at The Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. Grant is also a New Zealand representative in Karate, having competed at the World Championships and winning gold at Oceania. Grant is excited for his debut with Company Theatre and has thoroughly enjoyed working with the cast and crew.

<b>Rebecca Wright</b>

Rebecca Wright

The Woman (Willy's friend)

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Rebecca is excited to be back at Company Theatre acting alongside a talented cast on one of the great American classics.

Recently, Rebecca was on stage with Theatreworks’ production of Sham playing Meryl. Last year Rebecca performed in Company Theatre’s God of Carnage as Annette.

<b>Aidan Allen</b>

Aidan Allen

Happy Loman

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Aidan started acting not long after learning to walk and talk; at 3 years old... he was cute, but a silly fool to be frank.
He hopes to have learned something about acting since then, and you may compare his ability tonight to a random toddler of your choosing to rank his improvement so far.
His background in choral singing gives him a strong affinity for musical theatre, which he lauds as a "cool and fun time".
Aidan has appreciated developing such a new and challenging character for him, and has described the experience as a "symbiotic mind-melding of sorts".

<b>Matt Smith</b>

Matt Smith

Biff Loman

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Matthew J Smith is happy to be back, with Company Theatre, at the Rose Centre playing BIFF. He was previously with Company, in Arms and The Man for which he won an Award. He has appeared on Shortland Street and played Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire at Centrestage. He now brings his talent and experience to this complex role. 

Production Crew

Director Sian Davis | Director's Assistants Stephen Hood, Janet Lyons | Production Manager for Company Theatre Stephen Hood | Set Design Scott Thomas, Sian Davis | Lighting Design Scott Thomas | Sound Design & Tech Operation Stephen Hood | Properties Vettinia Ross and Sarah Dettwiler | Stage Managers Edith Lane, Janet Lyons, Lucas Laurent  Construction, Painting and Dressing  Scott Thomas, Sian Davis, Stephen Hood, Sherry Berg, Alastair Fletcher, Max Wilton, Caroline Parker, Kathy Gent, Aidan Allen, Geoff Allen, Edith Lane, Raine Gilcrest, John Hyde  | Costumes Kathy Gent, Cathie Sandy, Gail Carran | Poster, Billboard & Program Design Sherry Berg | Facebook/Instagram/Newsletter Stephen Hood | Website Sherry Ede | Advertsing & iTicket Kathy Gent | Box Office Kathy Gent, Sarah Dettwiler, Marissa Wilson | Bar Manager Alastair Fletcher | Front of House Manager Lesley Hawkey | Rehearsal Photos Sherry Ede

Company Theatre

About the Director

Sian Davis

Sian Davis has been involved with theatre as an actress, since the 1960’s, beginning in the Taihape Town Hall, through to Auckland’s Theatre Corporate in the 1970’s. In 1998, Company Theatre gave her a “shot at directing” with their production of Hedda Gabler. Sian’s preference is for New Zealand plays or the classics. Subsequently another 11 shows have followed at The Rose Centre and we are delighted that this classic play, Death of a Salesman, makes the full dozen complete. Sian designs and creates her own sets and is extremely talented with a paint brush.  

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