Shropshire Drama Company Continues Raising The Bar.

All My Sons

Shropshire Drama Company

Walker Theatre

Wednesday 9th November-Saturday 12th November

If you have seen Shropshire Drama Company before then it is likely you will have seen a top level show with the best actors in the county. You may have used words like slick, polished and very professional and you will have been right. Well it is possible after experiencing their interpretation of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,”  you will be saying the same again.

Maintaining their very high standards the company brought out the poignancy and importance of every line of this weighty Arthur Miller masterpiece.

 Miller, like the British "Angry Young Men," did in this country,  held up a magnifying glass to life in middle class,  Middle America. He has a searching way of exploring the crevices and hidey holes that truths and honesty are often hidden in and forgotten. Miller scoops them out and the whole ugly underbelly of American society is left bare for all to examine.

It is crucial therefore that a director’s interpretation of the text is accurate and through them Miller’s words take on a life.

But sustaining that life is where the actors come in. This is where S.D.C. can be trusted to bring out the very best in the text and to maintain the talent and meaning throughout.

Everybody in the cast deserves to be there. David Wright, who is possibly one of the best character actors to have been seen in the Walker for some time; Is superb as the mercenary arms manufacturer Joe Keller. His characterisation Is faultless. His Wife Kate was played with such delicate and tender understanding by Helen Bryant and is as equally strong. David Phillips is another actor to watch out for. His character is integral to the twist and he does a great job.

But the acting from all characters was believable and so magnificently done. Jenny Ebrey’s,  Ann Deever, was played with just the right balance of forward looking optimism and yet still trying to hide the tragedy of what had gone before and how it played heavily on her.

Technically the play sets no great challenges. The set is simple representing the Keller’s back yard not much was called for in the way of furniture just a couple of benches a wicket fence and a garden table. It didn’t rely heavily on sound cues or lighting cues as the action all took place in basic light.

That is not important though the play is everything. Taking on a well-known play is brave. So many have gone before in these roles and many people may have seen it before and it is human nature to compare. This show will stand firm in the comparison stakes as this company has made it their own and can all hold their heads high with the terrific job that they have done.

“All My Sons,” runs until Saturday night and if you want to see great understanding and interpretation of text, great acting and cohesion one might just consider taking a look.

This is a Four Star Review

Owen J.Lewis