Arthur Millers first successful play All my Sons is his greatest theatrical creation.Brilliantly directed by Howard Davies the play takes place at the end of the Second World War in 1946. The setting is the backyard of the Keller home on the outskirts of an American town. William Dudley has designed a set with overpowering trees and greenery which immediately feeds ones senses with foreboding of the story which is to unfold. A violent storm and the first appearance of the distressed Kate Keller played by Zoe Wanamaker wandering in the garden in the early hours add to the sinister atmosphere, which is maintained throughout the play. Kate and her husband Joe played by David Suchet are the main characters coping with the uncertainty of whether their eldest son Larry was either missing or killed in the war. Kate even after three years have passed will not accept that her son is dead.Joes former business partner Steve is serving a prison sentence for selling defective aircraft parts to the military during the war, which prove to be the cause of death to twenty-one pilots. Joe has escaped any punishment pleading that he had no involvement in the crime.Larrys former fiancée Ann the daughter of Steve visits the Kellers home and she and Chris, the Kellers youngest son soon make their intention to marry clear.Joe and Kate for different sinister reasons express their antipathy to their plans.The play then proceeds to the unravelling of the dark secrets the parents have been burdened with.The whole cast is faultless in their roles. Wanamaker gives an emotionally rich performance so authentic that one can really sympathise with her non-belief of her sons death. Suchet keeps one riveted as he changes from happy go lucky head of the family to a man broken by past events which become exposed to the truth.Arthur Millers brilliance as a playwright is illustrated by the way each actor plays an important part which enables the play to move forward portraying humanity as Miller saw it. No word is wasted. Morality, evil and human kindness are captured in every speech.This production at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End is sheer magic.By Aubrey Seller
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