The most autobiographical dramatic work I would ever write – Arthur Miller
This December, Sean Turner and the Old Red Lion, in close association with the Miller Trust, are proud to present the World Premiere of the until now long-lost first play by Arthur Miller.
Written over just six days during his spring break in 1936, No Villain displays the seeding of the iconic playwright’s Marxist values and draws very directly from his personal life. It tells the story of a once prosperous immigrant family who have since fallen on hard times, and a garment industry strike that sets a son against his father.
Starring as Arnold – the character who closely resembles Miller himself – will be Adam Harley. Adam has had previous roles in the Film 4 production of Suffragette and The Hard Man at Finborough Theatre. Arnold, like Arthur at the time of writing, is a college student at University of Michigan.
Playing alongside Adam will be David Bromley as Abe (The Mousetrap (St Martin’s Theatre)), Nesba Crenshaw as Esther (An Argentinian Moment (The Old Vic)), Stephen Omer as Roth/Dawson (Fatal Attraction (Theatre Royal Haymarket)), Anton Cross as Frank (The Low Road (LAMDA)), Kenneth Jay as Grandfather Barnet (Can on a Hot Tin Roof (Lyric Theatre)), George Turvey as Ben (The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Royal Bath and West End)) and Helen Coles as Maxine (Othello (Greenwich Theatre).
Miller wrote No Villain with the chief intention of winning the University of Michigan’s prestigious Avery Hopwood award and, more importantly, the $250 prize he needed in order to return to college the following year. Miller won the award, and the subsequent one, but the play was never produced – until now.
Director Sean Turner comments, Arthur Miller is an idol of mine and I am indescribably proud to have the chance to present a World Premiere of one of his works. It took me eighteen months of research to discover the play and I am delighted that we will present its first outing in this centenary year of his birth. No Villain is a vital addition to the Miller repertoire and gives us a vivid autobiographical glimpse of his youth.
NO VILLAN is playing at the Old Red Lion Theatre from Tuesday 8th December 2015 – Saturday 9th January 2016. Click here for more information and to book tickets
