The Stage

All My Sons

Published Monday 5 October 2009 at 10:20 by Natalie Anglesey

Mendacity, manipulation and malfeasance are major themes explored by American playwright Arthur Miller in many of his works, particularly All My Sons, his first major success.

The Octagon’s reputation for providing quality productions of Miller’s work is in the experienced hands of award-winning artistic director David Thacker, making his directorial debut at this theatre in the round. Thacker had a close personal relationship with the late playwright, working successfully with him on several stage and film productions.

Patrick Connellan’s striking glass-floored patio initially affords little hint of the period, set in the aftermath of the Second World War, until its underbelly is lit to reveal a hint of the wreckage below - rather like the play itself.

An excellent cast is headed by George Irving as manipulative Joe Keller, a successful industrialist in denial about his questionable past.

Thacker laughs off jokes about nepotism by casting his own wife Margot Leicester, also experienced in performing Miller’s works, as Kate Keller. She gives a beautifully layered performance of charming hospitality, masking her desperate refusal to acknowledge the disappearance of her fighter pilot son.

There are good performances too from Oscar Pearce as their idealistic son Chris and Vanessa Kirkby, making her professional debut as Ann, his missing brother’s girlfriend.

Present day allegations of inadequate provision for our own troops, mean that 60 years on from its first performance, Miller’s powerful work still has resonance today, as does his condemnation of those who make deceitful profit from war.