Difference between revisions of "The Crucible (2007)"

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Directed by [[Anton Krause]]  
 
Directed by [[Anton Krause]]  
  
Performances: Tue 20th – Sat 24th February [[2007]], Prompt Corner  
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Performances: Tue 20th – Sat 24th February [[2007]], [[Prompt Corner]]
  
  
 
== Introduction ==
 
== Introduction ==
  
Written in 1953, Arthur Miller's The Crucible is one of the most important and powerfully written plays of the 20th century. On the surface it is a partially fictionalised retelling of the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s, but at the same time is a powerful allegory of McCarthyism in 1950s America, where suspected Communsits were hounded and persecuted. The play serves as a warning against the effects of rampant suspicion and paranoia in all societies and has as much to say today as it ever did.  
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Written in 1953, Arthur Miller's The Crucible is one of the most important and powerfully written plays of the 20th century. On the surface it is a partially fictionalised retelling of the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s, but at the same time is a powerful allegory of McCarthyism in 1950s America, where suspected Communists were hounded and persecuted. The play serves as a warning against the effects of rampant suspicion and paranoia in all societies and has as much to say today as it ever did.  
  
 
The plot is taken from the true-life events in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 when a group of young girls accused their fellow villagers of practicing witchcraft, leading to the executions of 19 men and women (and two dogs). Miller, having read through all of the court transcripts and looking for the motives behind the accusations, spun them into a compelling tale of repression, religious intolerance and sexual jealousy.
 
The plot is taken from the true-life events in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 when a group of young girls accused their fellow villagers of practicing witchcraft, leading to the executions of 19 men and women (and two dogs). Miller, having read through all of the court transcripts and looking for the motives behind the accusations, spun them into a compelling tale of repression, religious intolerance and sexual jealousy.
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 +
Director's Notes <ref>Director's Notes: [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/productions/2007/crucible/ SLT Website]</ref>
  
 
== Cast ==
 
== Cast ==
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*Dep Gov Danforth - [[Michael Wilson]]
 
*Dep Gov Danforth - [[Michael Wilson]]
  
*Judge Hathorne - [[Andrew Davis]]
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*Judge Hathorne - [[Andrew Davies]]
  
 
*Tituba - [[Angela Barnes]]
 
*Tituba - [[Angela Barnes]]
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*Lighting Design - [[Stuart Draper]]
 
*Lighting Design - [[Stuart Draper]]
 
*Lighting/Sound Operator - [[Sarah Farage]]
 
*Lighting/Sound Operator - [[Sarah Farage]]
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*Costume - [[Stuart Draper]]
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*Poster Design - [[Maria Bates]]
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*Photography - [[Phil Gammon]]
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 +
With thanks to: Phil Wale at The Hob, Forest Hill; [[Gerard Johnson]], [[Maria Bates]], [[Carole Coyne]], [[Alan Buckman]], [[Alice Harvey Lowe|Alice Lowe]], [[David Clements]], [[Neil Carmichael]], [[Dave Hollander]], [[Mike Elliott]].
  
 
== Reviews ==
 
== Reviews ==
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This is SLT at its absolute best. *****
 
This is SLT at its absolute best. *****
  
'''Louisa Murphy''' <ref>[http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6120&forum=2 SLT Discussion Board - Opening night of The Crucible]</ref>
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[[Louisa Evans]] <ref>SLT Discussion Board - [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6120&forum=2 Opening night of The Crucible]</ref>
  
 
Quite simply the best production of The Crucible I have EVER seen.
 
Quite simply the best production of The Crucible I have EVER seen.
  
'''Jenny Gammon''' <ref>[http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6120&forum=2 SLT Discussion Board - Opening night of The Crucible]</ref>
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[[Jenny Gammon]] <ref>SLT Discussion Board - [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6120&forum=2 Opening night of The Crucible]</ref>
  
 
Production values are top notch – some fantastic performances, costumes and set that add to the atmosphere of the production rather than distracting from it, mood lighting, some lovely music (both recorded and live) and some stunning direction.
 
Production values are top notch – some fantastic performances, costumes and set that add to the atmosphere of the production rather than distracting from it, mood lighting, some lovely music (both recorded and live) and some stunning direction.
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This has got to be one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have ever seen and I would strongly recommend it.
 
This has got to be one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have ever seen and I would strongly recommend it.
  
'''Emma Howcutt''' <ref>[http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6118&forum=2 SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)]</ref>
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The scenes between the Proctors ([[Helen Chadney]] and [[Matthew Lyne]]) really do deserve a special mention. They were just beautiful – absolutely outstanding.
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 +
[[Emma Howcutt]] <ref>SLT Discussion Board - [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6118&forum=2 The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)]</ref>
  
 
I'm stunned. The calibre of the acting is sublime.
 
I'm stunned. The calibre of the acting is sublime.
  
'''Jack King''' <ref>[http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6118&forum=2 SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)]</ref>
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[[Jack King]] <ref>SLT Discussion Board - [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6118&forum=2 The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)]</ref>
  
 
This was simply one of the best evenings I've had in a theatre, any theatre, ever.
 
This was simply one of the best evenings I've had in a theatre, any theatre, ever.
  
'''Helen Brown''' <ref>[http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6118&forum=2 SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)]</ref>
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[[Helen Jones]] <ref>SLT Discussion Board - [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6118&forum=2 The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)]</ref>
  
 
This play just knocked my socks off. Absolutely brilliant writing, great direction, intimate, non-distracting set, and some spectacular performances.  
 
This play just knocked my socks off. Absolutely brilliant writing, great direction, intimate, non-distracting set, and some spectacular performances.  
  
'''Jem Solak''' <ref>[http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6118&forum=2 SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)]</ref>
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[[Jem Solak]] <ref>SLT Discussion Board - [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=6118&forum=2 The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)]</ref>
  
 
This was one of the most moving, intimate, sensitively directed and acted pieces I have seen in a long time. I was absolutely riveted from beginning to end.
 
This was one of the most moving, intimate, sensitively directed and acted pieces I have seen in a long time. I was absolutely riveted from beginning to end.
  
'''Naomi Liddle''' <ref>[http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic=6070&forum=2&start=45 SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible by Arthur Miller]</ref>
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[[Naomi Liddle]] <ref>SLT Discussion Board - [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic=6070&forum=2&start=45 The Crucible by Arthur Miller]</ref>
  
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==
  
Photo thumbnails go here with links to larger images.
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<gallery caption="Crucible photos by [[Phil Gammon]]" widths="250px" heights="250px" perrow="6">
 
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Image:cruc1.jpg|[[Matthew Lyne]]
== Reminiscences and Anecdotes ==
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Image:cruc2.jpg|[[Angela Barnes]], [[Richard Nield]] and [[David Blatcher]]
 
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Image:cruc3.jpg|[[Samantha Golton]] and [[Richard Nield]]
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
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Image:cruc4.jpg|[[John Lyne]] and [[Matthew Griffiths]]
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Image:cruc5.jpg|[[Andy Davis]], [[John Lyne]] and [[Michael Wilson]]
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Image:cruc6.jpg|[[Andy Davis]] and [[Maya Gabrielle Talbot]]
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Image:cruc7.jpg|[[Ella Rigby Lewenstein ]], [[Jessamy Lowe ]], [[Gaby Curry]], [[Rebecca Brough]] and [[Maya Gabrielle Talbot]]
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Image:cruc8.jpg|[[Michael Wilson]], [[Simon Holland]] and [[Helen Chadney]]
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Image:cruc9.jpg|[[Helen Chadney]] and [[Matthew Lyne]]
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Image:cruc10.jpg|[[Linda East]] and [[Nick Mansley]]
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Image:cruc11.jpg|Ensemble
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</gallery>
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*[http://www.photos.sltarchive.co.uk/the-crucible/ More production photos]
  
 
== See Also ==
 
== See Also ==
[[The Crucible (1997)]]
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*[[The Crucible (1970)]]
 
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*[[The Crucible (1997)]]
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==
  
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_CrucibleThe Crucible on Wikipedia]
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*[http://www.photos.sltarchive.co.uk/the-crucible/ More production photos]
 +
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crucible The Crucible on Wikipedia]
 
*[http://www.jacknilan.com/senatorjoe/ McCarthyism and the Movies]
 
*[http://www.jacknilan.com/senatorjoe/ McCarthyism and the Movies]
 
*[http://www.17thc.us/docs/fact-fiction.shtml Arthur Miller's The Crucible:Fact & Fiction by Margo Burns]
 
*[http://www.17thc.us/docs/fact-fiction.shtml Arthur Miller's The Crucible:Fact & Fiction by Margo Burns]
 
*[http://www.paperstarter.com/crucible.htm  Study resource for writing about ''The Crucible'']
 
*[http://www.paperstarter.com/crucible.htm  Study resource for writing about ''The Crucible'']
 
*[http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/crucible/ "The Crucible" Literature Study Guide at SparkNotes]
 
*[http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/crucible/ "The Crucible" Literature Study Guide at SparkNotes]
[[Category:Productions|Crucible, The]]
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[[Category:Productions|Crucible (2007), The]]
[[Category:Prompt Corner Productions|Crucible, The]]
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[[Category:Prompt Corner Productions|Crucible (2007), The]]

Latest revision as of 12:19, 31 July 2021

Poster by Maria Bates

by Arthur Miller

Directed by Anton Krause

Performances: Tue 20th – Sat 24th February 2007, Prompt Corner


Introduction

Written in 1953, Arthur Miller's The Crucible is one of the most important and powerfully written plays of the 20th century. On the surface it is a partially fictionalised retelling of the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s, but at the same time is a powerful allegory of McCarthyism in 1950s America, where suspected Communists were hounded and persecuted. The play serves as a warning against the effects of rampant suspicion and paranoia in all societies and has as much to say today as it ever did.

The plot is taken from the true-life events in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 when a group of young girls accused their fellow villagers of practicing witchcraft, leading to the executions of 19 men and women (and two dogs). Miller, having read through all of the court transcripts and looking for the motives behind the accusations, spun them into a compelling tale of repression, religious intolerance and sexual jealousy.

Director's Notes <ref>Director's Notes: SLT Website</ref>

Cast

Crew

With thanks to: Phil Wale at The Hob, Forest Hill; Gerard Johnson, Maria Bates, Carole Coyne, Alan Buckman, Alice Lowe, David Clements, Neil Carmichael, Dave Hollander, Mike Elliott.

Reviews

I came into it knowing little more than the blurb on the back of the script and a wikipedia account. I left blinking, in tears, entirely traumatised by the hideous portrayal of the very worst in humanity.

This was a truly astonishing production.

This is SLT at its absolute best. *****

Louisa Evans <ref>SLT Discussion Board - Opening night of The Crucible</ref>

Quite simply the best production of The Crucible I have EVER seen.

Jenny Gammon <ref>SLT Discussion Board - Opening night of The Crucible</ref>

Production values are top notch – some fantastic performances, costumes and set that add to the atmosphere of the production rather than distracting from it, mood lighting, some lovely music (both recorded and live) and some stunning direction.

This has got to be one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have ever seen and I would strongly recommend it.

The scenes between the Proctors (Helen Chadney and Matthew Lyne) really do deserve a special mention. They were just beautiful – absolutely outstanding.

Emma Howcutt <ref>SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)</ref>

I'm stunned. The calibre of the acting is sublime.

Jack King <ref>SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)</ref>

This was simply one of the best evenings I've had in a theatre, any theatre, ever.

Helen Jones <ref>SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)</ref>

This play just knocked my socks off. Absolutely brilliant writing, great direction, intimate, non-distracting set, and some spectacular performances.

Jem Solak <ref>SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible – a review (PS go tonight, 7.30 start)</ref>

This was one of the most moving, intimate, sensitively directed and acted pieces I have seen in a long time. I was absolutely riveted from beginning to end.

Naomi Liddle <ref>SLT Discussion Board - The Crucible by Arthur Miller</ref>

Gallery

See Also

References

<references/>

External Links