The Crucible
In his 1953 play The Crucible, playwright Arthur Miller employs a fictionalized account of Massachusetts Bay colonists accused of witchcraft in 1692 as a metaphor for government persecution of suspected communists during the mid-20th century..
The Crucible - Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich.
ARTHUR Miller's classic play can be a minefield for many companies.
I witnessed an appalling touring production earlier this year that
appeared to have no faith in the actual script, and filled it with
flashy tricks.
Paper Lantern's production. performed at the Sir John Mills
in Ipswich but coming to The Headgate next year, is proof that
contemporary elements can be successfully incorporated into a
classic play without sacrificing the themes and text. Although some
of the underscoring was too loud on the night I attended, and the
opening movement sequence is far too long, a superb atmosphere of this tale of witchcraft and persecution was created.
If you're attending a Paper Lantern production, you can expect
to see superb acting, and here was no exception. Liam Paul Gregory
was outstanding as John Proctor, an honest yet flawed man, holding
onto his name and dignity as the terror increases around him. He
was matched by a heartbreaking performance by Rosie Beattie
as Elizabeth Proctor, conveying strength and fragility in equal
measure. As the conniving Abigail Williams, Kel Ashton nailed
the manipulating of her fellow girls and the adults very well,
and Darren Beattie was a strong Reverend Hale, realising too late
that the accusations were to do more With financial squabbling
and jealousy than witchcraft. Phoebe Ruff was an excellent Mary
Warren, and Michael Cook strong and convincing as Reverend Parris,
But, truth be told, there wasn't a weak link in the cast, the mass
hysteria in Act Two feeling all too real under the beams of the Sir
John Mills Theatre!
Co-directors Rosie Beattie and Sally Broatch keep on point in terms of message and the clarity of the play. The transitions between each scene are brilliantly realised, Paper Lantern's signature now is the use of music and movement to convey layers of meaning to the story. Performed on a superb
Set, with excellent lighting, this production proved to be one of the
Highlights of the year.
Paul T. Davies - Colchester Chronicle.
Council of Nine - Rite of Passage Play Me Keosz - Nothing Left But Gloom Play Me Kryptic Minds - One Of Us Play Me Creepy - Ominous Play Me Sleeper - Species Play Me Enchanted Lands - Volume 2 Tranquil Atmospheric Ambience Play Me Journey of Demise - Film Background Music Soundtrack Play Me Kryptic Minds & Sleeper - Axis Shift Play Me Weval - Ways To Go (Alternative Version) Play Me Weval - Gimme Some Easier Play Me Weval - Detian (Original Mix) Play Me Kryptic Minds - Six Degrees Play Me Kryptic Minds - Myth Play Me Thelem - Elemental Fears Play Me DCult - Human Play Me Sleeper & District - Transitions Play Me Dark - Choir Play Me Demon - Cardiac Attack (DCult Remix) Play Me Powerful & Hopeless War and Battle Music - Left Behind Play Me Kryptic Minds - Organic [HQ] Exit Track Play Me