The play
At the height of the Red Scare, Senator Joseph McCarthy’s House of Un-American Activities Committee had accused many hundreds of American citizens of communist activity, including members of the Hollywood elite and well-respected intellectuals such as Arthur Miller himself. The Crucible tells the story of what happens when the town's Pastor, Reverend Parris, spies his young daughter, Betty, and a group of other girls from his church, dancing in the woods. Rather than suffer punishment for their actions, the girls accuse other inhabitants of Salem of practising witchcraft. The play's setting provides an appropriately claustrophobic atmosphere for the events that take place. The world of Salem is enclosed by strict moral and religious codes, which inevitably encourage the growth of hypocrisy and the abuse of power. Betrayal, guilt, love, compassion, moral integrity, self-discovery and courage are all thematic strands running through the story. Despite the play's period setting, these themes are relevant today and Miller’s exploration of the human psyche and behavior makes the play an enduring piece of powerful theatre.

Cast
In order of appearance:

Betty Paris	-	Bella Hewitt
Reverend Samuel Parris	-	Nick Rymer
Tituba	-	Ola Candide Johnson
Abigail Wiliams	-	Carlotta Cutrupi
Mrs Anne Putnam	-	Harriet Walls
Thomas Putnam	-	Gus Cross
Mercy Lewis	-	Livi Antrobus
Mary Warren	-	Maddy Jago
John Proctor	-	James Gill
Rebecca Nurse	-	Rosie Barnes
Giles Corey	-	Robbie Heygate
Reverend John Hale	-	Edward Birch
Mrs Elizabeth Proctor	-	Rose Russell
Ezekiel Cheever	-	Oli Carey
Judge Hathorne	-	Charlie Zajicek
Deputy Governer Danforth	-	Guy Killner

 

Director - Edward Birch
Producer - Nick Rymer

With thanks to:
Louise Boothman, Rowena Kitchen, Jane Quan, Stuart Myles, Claire Topping, Cameron MacLeod, Paddy Fernandez