Broken Glass Review: Arthur Miller's Shattering Drama Gains New Political Resonance at Young Vic
Arthur Miller's 1994 play Broken Glass, now revived at the Young Vic in London, emerges as a hypnotic and horrifyingly resonant production under Jordan Fein's direction. This staging, featuring extraordinary performances by Pearl Chanda and Eli Gelb, breathes haunting emotional force into a story that intertwines personal paralysis with political denial, chillingly paralleling contemporary global indifference.
A Tale of Paralysis and Political Inaction
Set in 1938 Brooklyn, the play centers on Sylvia Gellburg, portrayed by Pearl Chanda, a Jewish American housewife whose legs mysteriously cease to function after she reads about Kristallnacht in the newspapers. Her husband, Phillip, played by Eli Gelb, dismisses her as hysterical, while a doctor labels her condition psychosomatic. Miller delves into psychological exploration, drawing on Freudian themes, yet ambitiously ties Sylvia's personal tyranny to larger political oppressions, particularly America's inaction during the rise of Nazi terror.
The production masterfully interweaves the personal, political, social, and sexual elements, which might seem inchoate but are rendered with immense emotive power. Fein's direction leans into the play's messiness through a flamboyant non-naturalistic approach, including a glass screen where characters glower at the drama and a central bed strewn with newspapers from 1938 and today. Designed by Rosanna Vize, the set evokes a bedroom, waiting room, and parliamentary chamber, reminiscent of Cornelia Parker's artistic works.
Chilling Parallels to Modern Times
Sylvia's paralysis serves as a potent metaphor for a world numb to fascism, with Jewish Brooklynites, including the self-loathing Phillip, questioning their connection to Nazi persecution. Gelb's performance elevates Phillip, revealing deep-seated pain and complicity through his avoidance. Fein amplifies this by mixing historical headlines with current ones, such as references to Gaza and Donald Trump's policies, suggesting that characters' desensitization mirrors our own societal indifference.
Tom Gibbons contributes a brilliantly minimalist sound design with dramatic effects, though the production occasionally suffers from symbolism overload, like four clocks on the wall hinting at global tyranny. Despite this, the show delivers shocking and riveting scenes that implicate both characters and the audience, even if the decision to keep lights mostly undimmed feels heavy-handed.
Miller's Timely Warning
In a 1994 interview, Miller expressed disbelief at humanity's return to tribalism, citing events like the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This revival underscores his warning, making Broken Glass feel urgently relevant today. Running at the Young Vic until 18 April, this production not only showcases Miller's enduring legacy but also challenges viewers to reflect on political apathy in an era of global crises.
