All My Sons
Abbey Theatre, Dublin until 29 March.
Taking the family unit as its heart, Arthur Miller's compelling text highlights the frailties that undermine human existence, set against the wider backdrop of World War II, big business and shady dealings. Director Joe Dowling makes a welcome return to Ireland, assembling a line-up of American and Irish actors.
'All My Sons' is based on a real life event. A young woman in Ohio turned her father in to the authorities when she discovered that he had defrauded the Government. The 'villain' in Miller's text is businessman Joe Keller (Peter Michael Goetz) who places his own survival above that of society and benefits from the suffering of others.
In a time of war, Keller allows defective engine parts to be forwarded to the Air Force. His need to keep the lucrative contract and preserve the family business he hopes to pass to his sons is foremost in his thinking. Tragically 21 fighter pilots died as a result of the shoddy workmanship. And, as his partner takes the rap, ending up in jail, the Keller family business goes on to make a fortune.
Miller moves the action forward to 1947. Joe's son Chris (Declan Conlon) has decided to make a new life for himself. After returning home from the war a hero, Chris immersed himself in the family business. Now he is ready to move out on his own. He wants to marry Ann Deever, the daughter of his father's old business partner and former girlfriend of his own war-dead brother (Larry). Ann's arrival threatens to re-open old wounds for those who are unable to fully accept the events of the past.
This is particularly true of Joe Keller's wife Kate (Helen Carey). Her loyalty to her husband remains strong in spite of his past dealings. She refuses to believe her second son, Larry, is dead and longs for the day he will walk in the door and resume his relationship with Ann. She opposes the impending marriage, preferring instead to wait around, in the hope that life will return to the way it was. Kate clearly embodies the sense of emptiness and loss so inherent throughout.
An air of sadness permeates the whole play and it extends beyond the Kellers. The neighbours also have their regrets and disappointments. They have had to settle for something less than they had hoped for and so cover up their inner most feelings to present a distorted view of reality.
Joe Dowling builds the tension nicely as the lies of the past are gradually unravelled to reveal the shocking truths of the present. Along the way he allows the actors to fully explore the subtle nature of their characters, and so make them even more believable. However, the point in the play where Chris forces his father to confront himself fails somewhat in its dramatic attempt. What should have been a gut-wrenching moment felt somewhat flat. The delivery was rushed and not in keeping with the natural pace that had gone before.
Despite this disappointment, Dowling extracts energetic performances from the ensemble. Americans Peter Michael Goetz and Helen Carey mark their debuts on the Irish stage in fine style. They deliver performances that are top notch, with Carey especially good in portraying the brittleness that lies at the heart of Kate Keller. Declan Conlon, in the thankless part of Chris, and Justine Mitchell as Ann manage to convey a suitable air of innocence, nervousness and no less pain as the future couple.
Despite being written nearly sixty years ago, 'All My Sons' has retained its relevance. The consequence of lack of honour and integrity was foremost in Miller's mind when he wrote it; those who wish to profit from war still exist today.
Minor criticisms aside, the Abbey's production deserves to be seen as a faithful interpretation of Miller's vision.
James McMahon
