Willy Loman dies but lives on in Arthur Miller’s famous play. Death Of A Salesman, a bleak tale of battered hope, accomplishes Miller’s dreams of immortality.

The playwright’s own struggle to survive the depression inspired this intense and powerful postwar drama: the dark side of the American dream.

Willy may be dead but he offers a humdinger of a part to Bob Ryder, who grabs it with both hands and whose wonderful acting makes us believe in and care about Willy’s failed career, hopeless fatherhood and doomed garden.

Superb support comes from Pam Luxton as Linda, not coping with sons Biff and Happy, loudly and energetically portrayed by Guy Steddon and Phil Brown.

Director Graham Till recreates Miller’s fact and fantasy set, as well as the original rolling storyline, without scene changes or breaks.

The Wick Theatre Company actors without exception demonstrate their customary talent in a most thoughtful production of immense skill.

Yet nothing is so dated as our recent past; attitudes and social mores from 1950s America seem as old-fashioned as Bakelite landlines. But we must remember that we are separated by a common language, one to which Arthur Miller gave unique expression.