AN AWARD-WINNING play will take centre-stage at a city centre theatre next month.

Based on 1949 play written by American playwright Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman will be at Newport’s Dolman Theatre from April 9 to April 12.

The classic play itself has won a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize, both for ‘best play’ with this version performed by Newport Playgoers Society.

Death of a Salesman is always so much more than just a major riff on the destructive force of the American Dream.

It follows Willy Loman, a man at the end of his life, who is looking back in rancour, living a final 48 hours in a fog of dreams and tortured reality. But his fears are universal, and his demise is potential.

Willy’s life is also punctured by an overwhelming sense of abandonment and the toxic combination of hopelessness, loneliness and narcissism. Willy Loman delivers this emotional panorama in magnificent spasms, like a punch to the gut, turning back in a flash to such aching vulnerability that we forgive him his bullying and his self-destructive pride.

His face is impassive but his fingers twitch with undisguised nervousness. He needs validation. Being liked is his sole purpose. The Facebook generation will understand.

This production is directed by Steve Bissex-Williams who has been a member of Newport Playgoers Society since 1974 and has a huge repertoire of productions and musicals he’s helped with.

Mr Bissex-Willians trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and, as well as directing for Newport Playgoers Society, he has directed for Newport Operatic Society, Cwmbran Operatic Society, and New Venture Players.

Death of a Salesman will be at Dolman Theatre at 7.15pm on April 9, 10, 11 and 12. The final performance will be on Saturday, April 13, which is a matinee performance at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £12.50 for adults and £8.50 for children and students. The matinee performance has tickets for senior citizens for £11.

Book your tickets online at dolmantheatre.co.uk or call 01633 263670.