All My Sons-A gripping drama with smouldering performances by the cast.

Latest Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch play is a definite drama that provides first class entertainment and superb performances by the cast and director. A must watch on a grey winter’s day.

 This compelling, complex drama written by Arthur Miller in 1946 shows the unwitting destruction of the American Dream. The tale of two families, who were neighbours, one of whom lives in comfort, whilst the other is paying the price for that comfort; with father in prison, and son and daughter having moved away.

The story slowly unravels the truth that the two men were partners in an engineering firm that produced cylinder heads for a certain type of fighter plane during the war. Sadly, due to pressure and the military needing speedy delivery, substandard and faulty parts were used causing 21 planes to crash, with lives lost.After an enquiry one partner is sentenced to prison and the other is pardoned, however has the one in prison been the scapegoat? The partners lived next door to each other and one son Larry, whose father was pardoned, was engaged to Ann from next door, before going missing in action.

The Keller family live with their troubles whilst the fragmented Deever family moved away when father Steve, was sentenced.Chris Keller, having returned from the war with a certain amount of idealism and anger towards the almost apathetic state of America, has now courted Ann Deever, and wants to marry her. As such he invites her to the family home.Inn the meantime new neighbours, Jim and Sue have moved in and enjoy the company of the Kellers, without knowing all.

Joe Keller, a man not wanting any trouble, is mister amiable; always seeing the good in people, but holding a dark secret. Kate, his wife, in denial for two reasons; one, she refuses to believe her son Larry has gone missing in action and the other she knows the truth of her husband.
Two people central to the plot are never seen but their presence is felt strongly, Larry  Keller and Steve Deever and as the play progresses their painful stories emerge. 

Ann, always known as Annie, arrives at the house and at first all seems fine. She announces that her brother George is also coming from New York to the house. So here we have both the Keller and the Deever families. The action unfolds with the truth slowly emerging of the heinous actions of Joe, with disastrous consequences. However that will be for you the theatre goer to discover.

 Just one set is used in this production, (and it certainly captures the atmosphere), but the creative lighting captures all hours of the day and night which defines the piece. The symbolism of a tree, planted as a beacon of hope for Larry, is smashed during a thunderstorm; is this an omen?

The actors caught the mood of this play, and despite its’ darkness, there are moments of light and comedy. David Hounslow as amiable Joe and Eve Mathieson as Kate, his wife were so engaging, especially whilst harbouring their secrets, and Oliver Hemborough as Chris caught the idealism and the period beautifully.

 Kibong Tanji as Annie, had a certain demureness as well as thoughtfulness  about her which was charming.David Bonnick Jr. as Jim, Natasha Lewis as Sue the neighbours added a warmth to the plot and Nathan Ives-Moiba as Annie’s brother George gave a smouldering performance. 

Directed with feeling by Douglas Rintoul, with sets, lighting costume all adding greatly to a gripping evenings’ entertainment. This play is a must watch on grey and cold winter’s day. Well done all.