In the centenary year of Arthur Miller’s birth, as an even brighter spotlight shines on him as one of the most groundbreaking playwrights of the 20th century, Birmingham Repertory Theatre welcomes Talawa Theatre’s acclaimed production of 'All My Sons' from March 24-28.
Set during WWII, 'All My Sons' follows the gripping story of Joe Keller and Steve Deever, partners in a machine shop which turns out defective airplane parts, causing the deaths of many pilots. Whilst Steve is sent to prison, Joe escapes punishment and goes on to become wealthy in his pursuit of the American dream – but at what cost?
Whilst Joe’s wife Kate clings on to a lingering hope that that their missing son, Larry, is still alive, the searing drama escalates with a passionate love affair between their son, Chris, and Steve’s daughter, Ann. The return of Ann’s brother, George who, finding his father in prison and Joe free, triggers a breathtaking chain of events… and Chris’s reaction to his father's guilt explodes into an electrifying conclusion.
This powerful and critically acclaimed play examines issues of loyalty, betrayal and forgiveness to ask the universal question – how far you would go for your family?
Playing the role of Joe Keller, Ray Shell’s most recent theatre credits include 'The Bodyguard' at the Aldephi, 'Perseverance Drive' at the Bush Theatre and 'Driving Miss Daisy' at the Wyndham’s Theatre. He also originated the role of Rusty in the West End production of 'Starlight Express.'
Doña Croll will play Kate Keller, having previously performed in Twelfth Night at Sheffield Crucible, The American Plan at Bath Theatre Royal & St. James Theatre , Heresy Of Love at the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Riots at the Tricycle. On screen, she is best known for her roles in Gimme Gimme Gimme, Doctors, Family Affairs, Casualty and most recently the ITV series The Ice Cream Girls.
The cast also features Kemi Bo-Jacobs (Ann Deever), Andrea Davy (Sue Bayliss), Ashley Gerlach (George Deever), Bethan Mary James (Lydia Lubey), Leemore Marrett Jr (Chris Keller) and Chinna Wodu (Frank Lubey).
Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre, Michael Buffong directs. His credits at Talawa include God’s Property with Soho Theatre and the Albany and The Serpent’s Tooth with the Almeida Theatre. Further credits include Moon On A Rainbow Shawl at the National Theatre and the multi-award winning A Raisin In The Sun at the Royal Exchange Manchester.
Talawa Theatre Company is the UK's primary Black-led theatre company. Led by Artistic Director Michael Buffong, it aims to create work informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black British experience, invest in talent, build audiences and inspire dialogue with and within communities across Britain.
The production, which enjoyed huge success and played to great critical acclaim when it opened in a co-production with Royal Exchange Theatre in 2013 and now sets out on a brand new UK tour, is designed by Ellen Cairns, with lighting by Johanna Town and sound by Emma Laxton.
'All My Sons' is at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, from Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 March.
