All My Sons

Arthur Miller's All My Sons is presented with passion by WAAPA's Third Year Acting students at The Roundhouse Theatre. A well-rounded production, it brings this post-war American classic to life, with both warmth and raw emotion.

While the audience are asked to suspend belief, with casting that calls for actors to play well above their age, the performances are very convincing and are complete and intelligent portrayals.

The story is centred around the Keller family, with Andrew Greer bringing depth and credence to patriarch Joe, Brittany Morel mesmerising as the fragile and deeply troubled Kate and Chris Keller expertly crafting the emotional journey of son Chris.

Stephanie Panozzo was lovely as the complex Anne Deever, with Hoa Xuande quickly establishing himself in his second act appearance in the role of protective and emotionally wrought brother George.

Benjamin Kindon was charmingly authoritative as Dr Bayliss, Elle Harris strong as his wife Sue, with Dacre Montgomery and Harriet Gordon-Anderson performing very well in supporting roles.

Well coached by director Tom Healey, vocal coach Donald Woodburn, dialect coach Julia Moody, movement coach Claudia Alessi and fight choreographer Andy Fraser - the actors, without exception have created credible and multi-faceted characters.

Sallyanne Facer uses the tricky Roundhouse stage well, in a design that has both realism and functionality and symbolic elements and Cameron Routley's lighting design noticeably highlights the strong emotive elements. Shaun Sandosham's sound design pays homage to the era while Madeleine Watt's rural postwar costuming is both beautiful and respectful to each character.

All My Sons is a finely tuned production of a classic play, that is well worth seeing.

Kimberley Shaw