Death of a Salesman: Director’s Notes

Alexander Barnett on Death of a Salesman

Thematic Content and Structure

This is not the story of a salesman; it is the story of Willy Loman, who just happened to be a salesman. This is not the story of Everyman. Willy’s passion, love and drive go way beyond the norm. Perhaps most people will relate to Willy, be moved by him and, most important, think, contemplate and learn from his life and his mistakes.

Willy, like Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, demands to be “totally known”. Like Eddie, he could never settle for half. He must attempt everything even if it means ending up with nothing. He will risk his very life to achieve his “due”, what he considers his rightful status. As Arthur Miller says, “The commonest of men may take on that [tragic stature] to the extent of his willingness to throw all he has into the contest, the battle to secure his rightful place in the world.” Of course, this willingness automatically removes him from being the commonest of men.

Introducing King Lear on Facebook

I thought you might be interested in taking a look at this page: https://www.facebook.com/KingLearFilm/?ref=settings

Director’s Notes – Episode 5 King Lear

Watch the Scene

There’s tension, intrigue, distrust and anticipation throughout the country.  An imminent civil war is brewing. 

Oswald left Goneril’s at 4:30 in the morning and Kent (Caius) left 15 mins later.  They’ve traveled many hours and they’ve traveled hard.  They’re exhausted. They’ve gone sleepless this past night.  They arrive at 5:00 am.  It’s late Nov so it’s cold and dark.  Regan and Cornwall have just retired.  We know from the opening scene that Kent is a close friend of Gloucester’s so obviously he’s been to Gloucester’s castle before and knows his way around.  

Since Oswald doesn’t know where to set his horses he obviously hasn’t been here before and there’s no reason why he should have. 

Since Oswald never would have gotten a good look at Caius (Kent in disguise) in the third scene and since it’s dark, there’s no reason he’d recognize him now.  Kent, though, would certainly recognize Oswald, simply by his voice.  In his pursuit of Oswald he has unwittingly worked himself into a rage.  What creates even greater outrage is that he thinks Oswald does know who he is.

Still Life with Booze

I've written a new one-act comedy.

Cast of Characters for  Still Life with Booze

Paris - 1887

Paul Gauguin:  Intelligent, virile, domineering and sarcastic, a born leader with an outrageous sense of humor.

Toulouse Lautrec:  A man of remarkable psychological insight and abundant goodwill toward his devoted friend.  He is understanding, witty, gay, lively and outstandingly original.

Camille Pissarro:  Warm, intelligent, emotional and virtually ageless.  Generous to a fault, he has no regard for material things.

Shakespeare Magazine Issue 15

Links are live here

Lear and His Daughters - Character Notes

Some director's thoughts on the characters of Lear, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia.

Lear is a man of massive emotions, uncontrollable passions, dictatorial, uncompromising, magnificently charismatic, a brilliant politician, an iron-fisted leader, totally opinionated, egotistical, dogmatic, and overbearing.  He inspires in some enormous love, devotion, respect and loyalty; in others, loathing and contempt.

Goneril is utterly ruthless, totally compulsive, paranoid, devious, vitriolic.  She is never at peace, never satisfied,

Another terrible nomination.

 William Barr helped establish mass incarceration. Now Trump wants him as attorney general.