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The Crucible at the Theatre Royal Glasgow Review

12-17 June 2017

Reviewed by Deborah Mackenzie

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a dramatized and partially fictionalised account of the Salem Witch Trials that took place in Massachusetts during 1692/93. Miller wrote The Crucible when America was prosecuting alleged Communists, and he found himself questioned by the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities in 1956, where he was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to identify others present at meetings he had attended. This ‘Red Hunt’ was a fear campaign that ripped through all aspects of American life, turning people against each other. In Act 3 the trial Judge announces, ‘a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there is no road between’; shows a stark resemblance to many historical and present day political and religious parallels.

The opening act is in Reverend Parris’ home where his daughter Betty has contracted a mysterious illness that has left her bedridden. Parris had caught her, his niece Abigail and a group of girls dancing in the woods the night before and now rumours have spread about the town that witchcraft is the cause of Betty’s illness, people have gathered at his home wanting answers. To Parris’ dismay Abigail admits that they were trying to conjure spirits in the woods, to curse Elizabeth Proctor because she had an affair with her husband, who now wants nothing to do with her.

Reverend Hale who was summoned by the people as an expert in witchcraft, arrives from another town to investigate the strange events. He learns of the girls dancing in the woods, about the strange rituals they have taken part in. He questions Proctor and his wife as they had not been attending church. Proctor also reveals that Abigail admitted to him that the witchcraft charges were false.

Eventually there is a huge witch hunt and many of the women were arrested. A court proceeding takes place and the girls say that they were lying about seeing spirits or doing anything other than dancing. But Proctor fights for his wife stating that she is innocent, that Abigail is lying to have her executed as she still thinks he wants to be with her.

Months pass and Proctor is in prison and scheduled to hang along with another woman. Elizabeth Proctor is still in prison, but her execution is delayed due to her being pregnant. Hale attempts to convince them to confess rather than hang, but they refuse. Proctor eventually confesses and signs a written affidavit, but hearing that it will be posted on the church door, he destroys it. Proctor is then taken to the gallows.

The Crucible is a masterpiece as it is ageless; it shows the way people can be lead and their lives over taken by falsehoods and legalities. I have only described some of the parts in this play as it is more involved with other characters, they show just how the whole town became a witch-hunt against anyone who did not conform to how the law and church wanted you to act, think and talk like.

I found it very insightful, frightening at times, seeing how easily things can get out of hand. I questioned my own moral standings at the end, wondering if I would hang; rather than confess to something I never did. It is an amazing and thought-provoking play that should be seen by all.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £13.75 to £36.75 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

The Crucible is at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow from 12-17 June 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/theatre-royal-glasgow or call the box office on 0844 871 7647.

Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 3QA | 0844 871 7647

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