Scottish Ballet: The Crucible At Sadlers Wells Theatre, London Review

Reviewed by Dee Ryz

The Crucible, is a classic American play, written in the 1950’s by playwright, Arthur Miller. It tells the story of a group of young women, living in Salem Massachusetts, who much to their god-fearing family’s horror, have potentially dabbled in the dark art of witchcraft. When confronted by a local priest, one of the girls falls into a coma, prompting further rumours of witchcraft to which the girls deny all knowledge. When the girl wakes, the drama continues and a hunt for witches amongst the community ensues, throwing the town into disarray, unveiling affairs, money and land issues. The tale follows the lives of those accused, those who accuse them, with the ultimate tragic ending.

So, while you wouldn’t normally associate The Crucible as a dance piece, Scottish Ballet celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2019, with a selection of new and innovative pieces, including the Crucible. A resounding success, it is now on tour in London at the world-famous Sadler Well’s theatre, and will soon be heading west to Nashville and Washington D.C.

Opening night in London on Tuesday 14th June, was a true spectacle. From the moment the curtains were raised, to the final heart-stopping scene I was captivated. The scenery, while minimal, had a massive impact. With little in the way of props – nothing more than a chair, table, or even dolls house was ever used – a large cross background was used to define scenes (in a house; in the church, etc), and with the clever use of lighting to dictate the look and feel of the scene, complete with eerie mist drifting across the stage, the scene really was very much set. The costumes were traditional and simple – the ladies were in dresses complete with hats and pinafores, while the men were dressed in traditional clothes from the era (1690s), all adapted for dance of course.

The choreography by renowned choreographer, Helen Pickett, was absolutely astounding. The near perfect performance from the cast made it a night to remember. The drama, intensity and emotion within the dance was real. Accompanied by poignant music, I was taken in, heart and mind by the show. I must also make special mention to the gorgeous Constance Devernay (Abigail) and Sophie Martin (Elizabeth Proctor) who’s emotive and graceful performances were truly stunning.

Peter Salem’s new score was also positively bewitching. Modern yet classical, the orchestra performance was hauntingly beautiful, and couldn’t have been more in keeping with the nature and style of the ballet and story. It was wonderful!

Overall, Scottish Ballet’s performance of The Crucible was extraordinarily outstanding, and should not be missed. Tickets are available from the Scottish Ballet website (https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/event/crucible) and are priced from £15.00.

Sadler’s Wells Theatre is a modern performing arts venue, found Clerkenwell, close to the centre of London. Angel underground station and a variety of bus routes are all within a short walking distance, and there’s also an array of bars, cafes and restaurants close by, meaning you could happily make a night of it in the area.

Rating: 5 stars. (5/5)