The Crucible

The Crucible is a 1953 play by the American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a drama with a partially fictional story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during 1692 and 1693. Miller wrote the play as a view of McCarthyism, when the U.S. government blacklisted accused communist’s, giving us a powerful depiction of how intolerance and hysteria can tear communities apart. Miller himself was questioned by the House of Representatives' Committee on Un-American Activities in 1956 and convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to identify others present at meetings he had attended.

Right from entering the theatre the theme for the evening was clear with a very striking set. An arched set of wooden beams and shafts of light from between the wooden structures to the side of the stage stretched like witch’s fingers reaching into the audience. The creative opening matched the look and feel with darker than normal lighting set up, effective ambient music and the cast forming slowly on stage to sit on a random formation of chairs. The simplest of head movements on a scream within the music setting the audience on edge, I know the hairs on my arms and back of my neck were raised. This slow movement of cast and scene setting continued through the play creating a mind reset before the following action.

The tragic hero of the story, John Proctor (Gary Brashier) and his wife, Elizabeth (Deborah Roberts) were well cast, they had a believable relationship together. Elizabeth’s anguish as a farmer’s wife confused by the events overtaking her was easily seen and the contrast between John Proctors assuredness in the opening and his changing emotions of rage and eventually sadness at the recognition of his acts were well captured.

Autumn Evans as Mary Warren also gave a strong performance portraying Mary’s innocence, she committed well to the more emotional scenes and showed the conflict in Mary’s faith as she was pressured by the other girls.

A strong feature of the production were the performances of Katherine Humphrey as Abigale Williams and the teenage girls (Evie Foster, Georgia Beeston, Emily Brasington) she controls to make the lurid allegations of witchcraft. Their unison speech, screeches and shaking their long hair whilst writhing on the floor had the required edge of collective hysteria. Abigale’s manipulative character was captured to great effect and her wanting for John Proctor and feigned satanic possession showcased Katherine’s acting ability.

Philip Humphrey as Rev. Hale had a single-minded strength of purpose at the start, contrasting well with the self-doubt that grew towards the end.

The Rev Paris (Daniel Wood) and his daughter Betty (Fleur Haywood) come across well with the greedy and domineering side of The Rev not caring for his daughter’s disposition, as she slipped in and out of conciseness with fits of wailing and anguish, or that of his slave Talibba (Jenni Brassington) who was the first to be accused.  

The second half of the performance contained the climax of the play in the court room with a wide range of emotions on show from all involved. Judges Hathorne, (David Burt) and Danforth (Chris Sheard) definitely commanded authority within this scene.

Among the other actors, there were very good performances from Jenni Brassington as Talibba, Annabelle Hull as Rebecca Nurse, Lee Mackin as Francis Nurse and Calum Hall as both Ezekiel Cleever and Marshall Herrick.

Giles Corey’s (Hilary Warr) battle to save his land with Thomas Putnam (Reg Tolladay) and Ann Putman’s (Dorothy Ramsbottom) harsh accusations due to the problems her daughter had encountered were well acted and added to the overall production.

The production as a whole flowed well. Credit must be given to Nigel Evans for keeping the production to under three hours by removing part of the script whilst not losing any of the story, changing emotions or character attitudes. He obviously had a clear vision of what he wanted to achieve with “The Crucible” from the start and his cast combined with the lighting and production team provided a fantastic realisation of this vision. Well done all.

Can I also thank you for your hospitality on the night and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

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