Death of a Salesman, Octagon, Bolton. Until April 7.

WE spend so much of our lives looking for someone or something other than what we have that we often lose sight of who we are and what we really want.

Arthur Miller's epic family drama - the entire history of a soap in two-and-a-half-hours - tells of a man whose heart, soul, mind and family are torn apart by hopes, dreams and lies, and this utterly captivating Mark Babych-directed production is an exhausting yet completely rewarding experience.

David Fleeshman plays Willie Loman just as he should be played - and surely as the late, great Miller would want it.

He pulls together humour - and believe me, there is some - mental deterioration, desperation, disappointment and joy in one absolutely compelling package. You won't see a better performance on stage this year.

The play sees the Loman family clawing at the American Dream and, even when the ultimate tragedy strikes, refusing to let go.

Willie's son Happy is the chief culprit. Nathan Nolan brilliantly interprets the part of the philandering son who never really wins his father's approval, but so desperately wants to prove him right.

Jamie Lee, meanwhile, gives depth to Willie's other son, Biff - a depth some would say the character doesn't deserve. But Biff, despite his failings, knows the truth behind the family lie.

Joanna Bacon, as Willie's long-suffering but loving wife Linda, brings balance to the family and almost makes it impossible to determine whether or not she was right to follow her husband and his aspirations.

The direction is superb, with no attempt to twist what is, without doubt, one of the best plays of modern times.

If you leave with more questions than answers about your life and that of those around you, that's a pointer towards real success.