The Crucible

There are those who say that Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ is far and away his best work and the production at the Sheffield Crucible more than does justice to that sentiment.

Written as an indictment of the McCarthyism that gripped America during the 1950’s, the play is just as relevant today in terms of how human bigotry and ignorance can stir emotions into an irrational and dangerous frenzy.

The play is set in the small puritanical town of Salem, in Massachusetts during the 17th century. The town is situated on the edge of a forest which is at the Western boundary of a developing America. The forest is a fearful place, not only dark and threatening but from which occasionally indigenous tribes would foray from causing death and destruction.

The plot revolves around the infamous Salem witch trials, a series of trials of people accused of sorcery. The action is directed by the moral conflict and town’s hysteria as increasing numbers of the townsfolk are accused of turning away from God and towards witchcraft and sorcery, by their friends and neighbours due to unfounded rumours or personal grudges.

Directed by Anthony Lau, the mood is set from the opening minutes as following the introduction read by the narrator the cast assemble on tiered benches at the rear the stage furnished only with four stand lights and a table on which lies Betty Parris, played by Honor Kneafsey, the daughter of the village pastor, who lies prostate on her bed. She has been a part of a group of young girls led by Abigail Williams, Rose Shalloo, dancing, a forbidden pastime, in the forest. Having fainted following being discovered by her father, the Reverend, and the local doctor, being unable to discover a medical reason for her condition, the talk soon turns to unnatural causes. This leads to a mass panic in the town.

From this, all the concealed animosities come to the surface: John Proctor’s dislike of Parris, the resentment that Ann Putnam who has suffered the premature deaths of numerous children feels towards Rebecca Nurse who has raised eleven healthy children, and the malice that Abigail Williams feels towards John Proctor after Elizabeth Proctor turned her out of her home after discovering their affair.

In echoes of the McCarthy era, those accused were effectively considered guilty simply by being accused -their choices were either to confess, receive a prison sentence and name other witches, or to continue to protest their innocence which ultimately became their death sentence.

The cast are excellent. Simon Manyonda as John Proctor was utterly convincing as he ratcheted up the tension by holding firm to his conviction not to ever lie, even if to lie meant to save his life. Abigail maintained a menacing presence throughout the performance. Sargon Yelda as Reverend Parris was a compelling character depicting a full range of emotions, through caring for his daughter to administering the will of the court. Whilst Ian Drysdale as Deputy Governor Danforth was solid in his utter belief that to hang those found guilty was the will of God, regardless of the many contradictions.

The costumes were of necessity dull and drab whilst the staging was typical of the majority of performances seen at the Crucible, basic and functional but totally appropriate for this play and subject matter.

I consider this to be an excellent and thought provoking production with many parallels to todays society.

Sheffield Crucible Theatre Until 30th March