Showing posts with label All My Sons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label All My Sons. Show all posts

11 June 2012

All My Sons: The Reviews Are In!


The reviews are in – and we are buzzing!
Here is just a taste of what they have to say …


Jeffrey Thomas and Emma Kinane in All My Sons. Photo by Stephen A'Court.
“Susan Wilson has again brought Wellington an unforgettable Miller classic.
A few years ago her ‘Death of a Salesman’ was a knockout.
‘All My Sons’ is another one.” - Lynn Freeman

 “The second half is an explosion of emotions … the confrontation between idealistic son Chris Keller and his father Joe makes for one of the most electrifying moments I’ve seen in 17 years of reviewing.

“Wilson has brought together a dream team. Jeffrey Thomas, Emma Kinane, Richard Dey - these three actors turn in career best performances, supported strongly by Martyn Wood and Jessica Robinson.

“Paul Jenden’s costumes are a delight.

“Arthur Miller’s story resonates with a 2012 audience in ways he could never have imagined. … It is a masterful and insightful work that is one of the year’s must-sees.” 
- Capital Times

“Having seen so many modern plays, it was refreshing to go to an old classic -
I was on the edge of my seat for the entire second half of the play … You could have heard a pin drop, the audience were so captivated. 
“Jeffrey Thomas dominates the play with his portrayal of Joe Keller. Even though you are suspicious of him, you just cannot help but like him.
The other star was Emma Kinane playing Kate. She gets it pitch perfect – it is a magic performance.

“The stage is also worth mention -  a wonderful replica of the backside of a 1940s house, and the back lawn. The artificial grass actually went all the way to the first row of seats, which made you feel very close to the action.  
The costumes were also spot on, especially the frocks for the ladies.
“All four of us raved about the play. … and the Circa performance of it was first class.”
- David Farrar, Kiwiblog 

Jessica Robinson and Ricky Dey in All My Sons. Photo by Stephen A'Court.
“I’d never seen a production of All My Sons… Susan Wilson’s inspiring direction of this particularly powerful and passionate production means that I shall now seek out more of a similar genre.

“Particular congratulations must go to Kinane, Thomas, Dey and Robinson who held the audience in the palm of their hands as they took us on a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

“Awesome set as well!“
- Kate Spencer, City Life News

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"Susan Wilson’s production beautifully captures the sense of time and place.  The realistic set of a house and backyard with symbolic weeping willows down the sides, the mood lighting, the costumes and make-up and the hair styles, all convey perfectly a sense of style of the period.
Arthur Miller is a truly great writer … a compelling piece of drama … well worth seeing."
- Dominion Post


(Left to right) Beck Taylor and Dino Karsanidis in All My Sons. Photo by Stephen A'Court.
Meet Beck and Dino – the two young boys who alternate the role of Bert.

Beck Taylor

Beck is ten years old and goes to Houghton Valley School. He is a very busy boy. He loves karate, swimming, soccer, guitar and circus and participates in these each week.

Beck got a part in a feature film called Love Birds when he was eight. “The part was large and we spent seven weeks flying up and down to Auckland,” said his mother, Tanya. “He stumbled into acting - the mother of a friend from school thought he'd be good. He loves it!”

And from Beck...
"Being in All My Sons is extremely fun and the people are really nice. Acting is awesomely cool  :D"


Dino Karsanidis

Dino is 11 years old and and is currently in his first year at Hutt Intermediate School. He is going to take part in the school production of Aladdin next term and he also enjoys learning the drums.

“Dino had a knack for re-enacting movie parts, so we sent him to Hutt Theatre Drama School, which he has attended for 2 1/2 years,” says his mum, Liza. “This part in All My Sons is his first major role!”

Dino has said this of the play: "I like the play because I like how there are some funny parts and there are some sad parts and there are action parts as well".

All My Sons runs until 7 July in Circa One. There will be an audio described performance for blind and visually impaired audience members on Sunday, 1 July at 4pm, with tour tours commencing at 3:15pm. This performance will also be open to the general public. For more information or to book, please call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992.

28 May 2012

All My Sons: 'a compelling story with a collection of complex, finely drawn characters'

The actors playing the four leading characters in the Arthur Miller classic All My Sons tell drama on the waterfront their reactions to being in the play.

(L to R) Jessica Robinson, Richard Dey, Jeffrey Thomas and Emma Kinane in All My Sons. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

Jeffrey Thomas plays Joe Keller


“I've done a lot of plays at Circa over the years and there are some that I tend to group together - like Chekhov. What do you call such a group? A number? A series? Yes, I've done a series of Chekhov plays and now I seem to be embarked on a series of great American plays. Last year it was August: Osage County, this year All My Sons. The might of Hollywood is such that it tends to overshadow American theatre. These two plays are breathtaking reminders that there are American plays that rightfully deserve to be called "classics" and Arthur Miller is a playwright who gives his characters some wonderful speeches to perform. I just wish things could have worked out better for him and Marilyn.”

Recently seen                                
Circa plays - Mauritius, Rock ‘n’ Roll, The Winslow Boy, August: Osage County
Television - Spartacus.
You may not know … he’s playing the Dwarf King Thror in The Hobbit.

Emma Kinane plays Kate Keller (Joe’s wife)


“Everything about this show is huge; the emotions of the characters, the legacy of the play and the playwright, the production values, the size of the cast and, of course, the audience expectation.  Pretty scary stuff. 

Vintage is in!  It is such a luxury to dabble in 40s fashions and hair.  Paul Jenden has already made two gorgeous dresses that I feel fabulous in - high waists, big shoulders and huge full skirts - you really know you're wearing a dress, you know?  And this weekend I've been playing at home with curlers and setting lotion, experimenting with the best way to get those 40s soft wavy curls.  It's looking so good right now I'm tempted to keep it like this after the show finishes, but I know I won't... it's fun for now, but it's too much work for everyday.  I don't know how they did it.  I guess it had something to do with not having Facebook...”.

Recently seen
Stage - Lonely Heart, Fuddy Meers, Sex Drive
Television – Outrageous Fortune
You may not know … Emma has a feral chihuahua called Phoebe.

Richard Dey plays Chris Keller (their son)


"There is something about Miller. He once said he could not imagine a theatre worth his time that did not want to change the world. It is that sharp passion for theatre that I feel involved in, in being part of this production. I love Miller’s dislike and almost rejection of the 'American Dream' and his insight into the idea that we are all our brothers’ keepers. I am extremely privileged to be part of such an incredible cast and an incredible play." 

Recently seen
Stage - Tinderbox, The Thirty – Nine Steps, Salon, Entertaining Mr. Sloane
You may not know …  this is Richard’s debut on Circa’s main stage

Jessica Robinson plays Ann Deever (Chris’ fiancĂ©)


“I feel very lucky to be working on this production of All My Sons. This is the kind of play that made me want to be an actor – a compelling story with a collection of complex, finely drawn characters. I feel just as lucky to be working with such a great cast including Dino Casanidis and Beck Taylor who play Burt; it's the first time I've been in a play with a child in the cast.”

Recently seen
Stage -  Our Man in Havana, Eight, Aladdin, Live at Six, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later
You may not know …  Jessica can sometimes be found singing in cabaret shows around Wellington.


All My Sons opens in Circa One on 2 June and runs until 7 July, with a $25 Preview on 1 June and a $25 Special Sunday on 3 June. To book, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.