************************* Set in Brooklyn in 1938, Broken Glass tells the story of Sylvia and Phillip Gellburg, who, after years of marriage, come to realise that they hardly know each other at all. Phillip is the only Jew working at a very traditional Wall Street bank where he mainly works on foreclosing. Obsessed with work, and his own desire to assimilate, Phillip has little time for his wife until she demands his attention by suddenly falling prey to a mysterious paralysis after seeing the events of Kristallnacht in the newspaper. Up until now Sylvia has been a quiet little housewife, but she needs to express her buried fears and longings. Dr. Harry Hyman is called in to help, and though no specialist, he decides the case is a psychiatric one; however, as he comes ever closer to finding the source of Sylvia’s peculiar affliction, a dangerous relationship forms between the doctor and his beautiful patient, a relationship that could have devastating consequences. Miller’s gritty, enthralling script underpins the personal tragedies of a New York Jewish family with the developing horror of Holocaust-tormented Berlin, questioning the human response to tragedy and highlighting the abuse prevalent in everyday society. This fascinating and disturbing insight into a horrific and thought-provoking occurrence offers a fresh look at how momentous historical events can shape the lives of ordinary people all around the world. Following in the breathtaking tradition of his acclaimed American classics A View From The Bridge, Death Of A Salesman, The Crucible and All My Sons, Broken Glass reinforces Arthur Miller’s unrivalled reputation as the godfather of modern tragedy. Winner of the Olivier Award for best play in 1993, Broken Glass is a powerful example of ingenious play craft and heart-rending drama from one of the twentieth century’s most renowned playwrights. Arthur Miller was America's foremost post-war playwright. His works, intricate musings on the darkness at the heart of the American Dream, struck a chord with a whole generation of theatregoers throughout the world. Last year Arthur Miller died at the age of 89. The impressive cast includes Barbara Marten (Caitlin and Macbeth, York Theatre Royal, Eastenders and Casualty, BBC One) as Sylvia Gellburg; Robert Pickavance (Walking The Tightrope, Hobson’s Choice, York Theatre Royal and Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Playhouse) as Phillip Gellburg; Richard Heap (Buried Child, Royal National Theatre and Murphy’s Law, BBC One) as Dr Harry Hyman; Olwen May (Behind The Scenes at the Museum and Closer, York Theatre Royal and Pericles, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Hariet; Michael Roberts (The Importance of Being Earnest and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, York Theatre Royal) as Stanton Case; and finally Rachel Ogilvy (Family Affairs, Biographies in a Bag, Edinburgh Festival) as Margaret Hyman. The play is being directed by Damian Cruden, Artistic Director of York Theatre Royal, whose recent productions have included East is East, Hay Fever, and Brassed Off said of the production, “One of Miller’s later plays, Broken Glass is the first play he wrote concerning the life of Jewish migrants in New York during the late 1930’s (which is a central part of his own formative years). The play deals with the complexities of post depression life for a couple whose sense of belonging to the great American dream is under attack from both within and without. As ever Miller writes about the great conflicts of life through the personal realities of individuals trying to survive and connect, the play is about loving and how the inability to express or indeed understand love can cripple. Miller’s exacting use of language and his detailed characterisations are an enticing prospect to work on with a company of skilled actors. The text moves rapidly with a constant development of the characters understanding of both themselves and those around them. Miller reaches into his characters history connecting their past to their present, enlightening our understanding of why these people are who they have become, the devil is in the detail.It is a great pleasure to be working again with Barbara Marten, Robert Pickavance, Olwen May and Michael Roberts on the production, and for the first time with Richard Heap and Rachel Ogilvy. This company is hugely experienced and will I am certain rise to the challenge of Millers wonderful text.” Broken Glass is designed by Patrick Connellan, whose credits include Edward III (Royal Shakespeare Company at Gielgud Theatre) and The Slight Witch (National Theatre/Birmingham Rep). "This play should make Jewish and non-Jewish audiences ask what is in [the soul] that allows such things as the Holocaust to happenWhat energizes such a thing?" - Arthur Miller Tickets for this eagerly awaited production are priced £8.50 - £18.00 (Matinee tickets are £7.00). Tickets for Under 25s and Students are £3.50 and can be purchased at the York Theatre Royal Box Office or by calling 01904 623568. **************************