Broken Glass Review – Arthur Miller Revival Struggles to Feel Contemporary
Arthur Miller's late-career examination of the Jewish experience, Broken Glass, has been brought to London's Young Vic in a production that is worthwhile but not always convincing. Directed by Jordan Fein, this revival attempts to modernise the play, yet it often feels dated despite its intense psychological themes.
A Claustrophobic Tale Set in 1930s Brooklyn
The play is set in 1930s Brooklyn and centres on a couple, Philip and Sylvia Gellburg, whose lives are marked by internal struggles. Philip, portrayed by Eli Gelb, is a troubled man who obsessively spells his name to assert his identity and battles to hide his fears about the rise of Nazism in Germany. His wife Sylvia, played by Pearl Chanda, suffers from a mysterious illness that confines her to bed, surrounded by newspapers and regrets for a life unfulfilled.
Miller's script is claustrophobic and intense, primarily unfolding in the couple's messy bedroom. In contrast, Fein's production opts for a bright and spacious arena-style stage, with office-style fluorescent lights highlighting every detail of their strained marriage. This visual approach aims to amplify the emotional turmoil but sometimes falls short of deepening the narrative.
Modernisation Efforts and Dated Elements
Fein incorporates symbolic elements, such as clocks set to different time zones slowly converging to suggest the universality of Jewish experience, and piles of old and new newspapers to show how headlines remain unchanged. However, these interventions feel contrived and do not fully counteract the play's repetitive structure and post-Freudian themes, which attribute Sylvia's mental illness to her husband's sexual failings.
The production runs for two hours without an interval, a decision that lacks justification and feels exclusionary, particularly for a theatre like the Young Vic that has historically aimed to welcome a broad audience. This aspect detracts from the overall experience, making the play feel less accessible.
Strong Performances Amidst the Flaws
Despite the unconvincing modernisation, Fein has elicited fine performances from the cast. Eli Gelb delivers a nuanced portrayal of Philip, alternating between likeability and loathsomeness as he suppresses his identity in front of his privileged boss and oppresses his wife in turn. Pearl Chanda shines with frustration and spark as Sylvia, grappling with her unexplained physical decline.
There is also compelling chemistry between Chanda and Alex Waldmann, who plays her infatuated doctor with risqué ideas for her recovery. These performances add depth to the production, highlighting the emotional core of Miller's work.
Historical Context and Miller's Legacy
Written in 1993, Broken Glass reflects Miller's nostalgia for a bygone Brooklyn, as seen in Sylvia's memories of green fields, while unsparingly exposing the prejudices faced by Jewish people in that era. The play serves as a coda to Miller's career-long exploration of the dark side of American capitalism, akin to works like Death of a Salesman.
This revival is fascinating for its insights into Miller's later years and the Jewish experience, but it struggles to achieve the shattering contemporary relevance it aims for. Ultimately, Broken Glass at the Young Vic offers a thought-provoking yet imperfect theatrical experience, running until 18 April.
