Review: 'Glengarry Glen Ross'

by Daniel Hill

Having recently been on the West End, this production has now begun its tour of the UK. I was lucky enough to see it in Woking at the New Victoria Theatre Written by American playwright David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross tells the story of a Real Estate office partly based on Mamet’s previous job in a similar office. This production, fresh from its run on the West End, was directed by Sam Yates and starred Mark Benton and Nigel Harman as Shelly Levene and Ricky Roma respectively. This production showed the high-pressure and expectation of an American Real Estate company.

With the first act set in a Chinese restaurant, each character is slowly revealed as we see the isolated conversations that they have in pairs. First, Levene demands for a higher status within the office but Williamson the manager won’t go against those above him. Secondly, we see Moss and Aaronow having a conversation with Moss trying to convince Aaronow to rob the office for the “leads.” These are those people who would want to invest in real estate; they lead to almost guaranteed success. To close this act, we see Ricky Roma trying to convince a new client to invest in real estate, showing the manipulating side of this business. The second act is set in the office which had been robbed. The second half features each employee being taken off stage to be questioned before we find out who it was, due to a slip of the tongue.

The set itself is brilliant. Both the chinese restaurant and real estate office are recreated in a naturalistic style on stage. Although possibly slightly too extravagant, especially in the chinese restaurant with each scene taking place downstage between two actors, it clearly defines the setting and period, that being of the 1980s. The direction from Yates allows the fast pace play to work really well. Directed in a very much naturalistic style, Yates enables Mamet play text to work brilliant within the set and keeps the edge it requires. However, right at the end of the play, the pace drops and this almost leaves the audience wanting more, which I saw as both a good and bad thing. Moments before, the ending would have come across much more satisfying for an audience, yet Mamet chooses to stop his play almost too late on.

The cast of seven are very good in each role, though it really is a show owned by Mark Benton and Nigel Harman. Harman’s smooth and sly nature is perfect for the role of Roma. He fully becomes the character and takes the role on with a real confidence. Benton is also brilliant in his role of Shelly. His frantic characterisation in the first act is followed by a mix of both the same frantic nature and confidence within the second act. As the two leads, Benton and Harman work very well together. All other actors are also very good in their roles, with Scott Sparrow’s calmness standing out as a clear contrast.

Overall, this play was a good showing. Some great acting, brilliant set design and good direction. The fast paced energy of Mamet’s play was brilliant, and I would definitely see it again. If it comes back around soon it is a great play to see.