All My Sons
Miller shows us a version of the American dream, an every family, and then inexorably pulls it to pieces.
| 10 Feb 2007
All My Sons is a compelling play. The Keller family is trying to get on with life in the aftermath of the second World War. Joe and Kate have lost one of their sons - the other, Chris, has returned home, joined the family business and wants to marry Ann Deever, who had been his brother Larry's sweetheart. Miller shows us a version of the American dream, an every family, and then inexorably pulls it to pieces. All My Sons is an exploration of the effect that one man's denial of personal responsibility will have on all that he holds dear.
This play requires a strong ensemble cast to bring to life the family and their neighourhood and through these, the society in which they live. The key performances in this production are impressive, in particular from Stuart Milligan as Joe and Richard Conlon as Chris. The love, respect and affection that father and son share are portrayed without doubt, making Chris' sense of betrayal and disgust in the final act all the more devastating. Kathryn Howden's Kate is an immensely practical woman, holding onto an impossible belief as a way to keep her family and her marriage together and Shonagh Price brings a subtle counterpoint as Ann, fighting for her own chance at happiness while understanding more clearly than any of the Kellers the price they may all have to pay.
There are a number of small problems. Any play which demands convincing American accents from a British cast is going to be met with varying degrees of success. Some of the actors in smaller roles are not as strong as they could be. But these are niggles. All My Sons is a fine production of an absorbing play. The cast bring warmth, humanity and reality to the characters, and they allow the quality of Miller's writing to shine. [Philippa Cochrane]
This play requires a strong ensemble cast to bring to life the family and their neighourhood and through these, the society in which they live. The key performances in this production are impressive, in particular from Stuart Milligan as Joe and Richard Conlon as Chris. The love, respect and affection that father and son share are portrayed without doubt, making Chris' sense of betrayal and disgust in the final act all the more devastating. Kathryn Howden's Kate is an immensely practical woman, holding onto an impossible belief as a way to keep her family and her marriage together and Shonagh Price brings a subtle counterpoint as Ann, fighting for her own chance at happiness while understanding more clearly than any of the Kellers the price they may all have to pay.
There are a number of small problems. Any play which demands convincing American accents from a British cast is going to be met with varying degrees of success. Some of the actors in smaller roles are not as strong as they could be. But these are niggles. All My Sons is a fine production of an absorbing play. The cast bring warmth, humanity and reality to the characters, and they allow the quality of Miller's writing to shine. [Philippa Cochrane]