Over six days during spring break 1936 at the University of Michigan, a  20-year-old college sophomore wrote his first play No Villain. His aim was to win the 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.



Telling the story of a garment industry strike that sets a son against his factory proprietor father, Miller himself said, "My first attempt at a play, rather inevitably, had been about industrial action and a father and his two sons, the most autobiographical dramatic work I would ever write."



In a press statement, Sean Turner, who is directing the play, commented, "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."



Casting is still to be confirmed.



To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 412 4307, or visit www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk.