Captured by Digital
Theatre at the Apollo, London
Released April, 2011
I was so excited when I heard that Howard Davies’ much
acclaimed production of Arthur Miller’s Post-WWII play All My Sons was going to be released online by Digital Theatre, I
made sure I pre-ordered it.
Robert Delamere and the team from Digital Theatre have done
an excellent job filming a live performance of the play using mini cameras. Seeing
William Dudley’s set close up allows you to appreciate the realism of Davies’
production, especially in the stunning opening scene where a storm knocks down
a tree in the Keller family’s back yard.
The benefit of using Digital Theatre is if you missed a
production, it allows you to view from your own home, but also you can enjoy
the excellently nuanced performances of David Suchet, Zoe Wanamaker, Stephen
Campbell Moore, Jemima Rooper, Daniel Lapaine and the rest of the company close up.
Sitting in the Upper Circle when I saw it, this capturing ensures that I can
appreciate the way that Joe Keller transforms throughout the three acts from the
proud family man ruling the roost to just an old man in his dressing gown
crying and rubbing his head in frustration. Furthermore, you can watch their
performances over and over again.
When the fatal gunshot goes off at the end, I would have
liked to see once more the way the house lit up from the gun, but I did like the way
that the camera instead focuses on Wanamaker’s reaction – something the
audience might have missed in the theatre from the shock of the bang. Crying
out her husband’s name four times, Kate realises that this was probably the
only way ‘this thing’ (as Kate calls it) could have ended. The tears build up
in her eyes and the sadness is conveyed wonderfully.
I could say more about this excellent production but will end
by saying how it really is one of the best things I’ve ever seen and will look especially
forward to seeing more of Miller’s, Davies’, Suchet’s and Wanamaker’s work in
the future.
I fully recommend Digital Theatre.
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