Glengarry Glen Ross at the Theatre Royal Plymouth Review
25 February to 2 March 2019
Reviewed by Linda Pickford
Last night, I attended the lovely Theatre Royal in Plymouth to see the production of Glengarry Glen Ross. I haven’t seen the 1992 film of the same name, although I did know that it was a story about some American real estate salesmen.
The play opened with Shelley Levene, played superbly by the well-known Mark Benton. He was arguing very forcibly with John Williamson (Scott Sparrow), the office manager about the sales leads he had been given recently. The management had placed their salesmen in a competition with each other with the top earner earning a Cadillac and the runners up being fired. Only the best salesman would be given the lucrative leads. Levene was a great salesman in the past but hadn’t been doing so well recently and he was extremely angry. His income was based solely on his sales and he needed to earn good money to put his daughter through college. The argument was very robust and fast and included much bad language as did the whole of the play. I found some difficulty in following their conversation initially but soon tuned into their American accents. After much debate it was agreed that Williamson would receive a percentage of Levene’s commission in return for some potentially good leads.
Next to arrive were Dave Moss (Denis Conway) and George Aaronow (Wil Johnson), two more disgruntled salesmen unhappy with their current results and the threat of potential dismissal. Gradually Moss introduced the idea of a burglary at the office to obtain the list of golden leads. He tried to convince Wil that because he had listened to the idea he was now a co-conspirator and therefore needed to do the actual crime. Moss already had a buyer for the information.
The final act was after the actual break in with everyone coming into the office and each undergoing an interrogation by the local police to discover the culprit.
An enjoyable evening if somewhat tempered by the bad language, you are warned that under 13-year olds will not be admitted. Great acting by all concerned and an admirable warning against unscrupulous salesmen selling dodgy property at scandalous prices.
The Theatre Royal is a highly valued resource in Plymouth and you are always guaranteed a good welcome. Public transport links are very good and there are ample car parking opportunities in the area.
Rating: 3/5
Tickets cost from £10 to £32 (booking fees may apply).
Glengarry Glen Ross is at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth from 25 February to 2 March 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.theatreroyal.com or call the box office on 01752 267222.
Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR | 01752 267222
