THIS production of Arthur Miller's first successful play features an impressive set designed by John Witham and Terry Gray, showing the imposing house and backyard garden of the Kellers, a family whose father has recently avoided imprisonment (by passing the blame onto his business partner Steve Deever) for selling defective engine parts for US military planes, resulting in the loss of twenty one of them and several pilots' deaths, including that of the Kellers oldest son Larry.

Alan Rimmer does well as the central character Joe, who is gradually forced to accept the extent of his guilt, but others in the cast take up at least as much of our interest. There is Christine English as Joe's wife, clinging to the hope that her boy will be found alive until she can no longer avoid the truth, Steven Lilly as younger son Chris, facing painful disillusionment, Kerry Butcher in the role of Ann Deever giving conviction to the numerous changes in her character's perspective (mourning Larry, then loving Chris, then realising the injustice done to her father) and Leighton Fort giving a fiery performance as Ann's brother, the first to accuse Joe directly.

The drama is absorbing but a lot of it is conveyed by angry shouting that can become rather wearisome. Still, there is much to admire here and lighter moments are provided by Jack West as Bert, the boy next door who plays 'prison' with Jack, and Rachel White as Lydia Lubrey. The row between Ann and cynical neighbour Sue (Kathryn Thomas) is particularly vivid.

Ham Quentin

(COR)