The Crucible at Bristol Old Vic - Bristol theatre review
Posted on: 2015-10-15
Our rating:
A truly extraordinary adaption, bringing together a superb director and brilliant cast. An immense performance, providing an intense and powerful recount of Miller?s tale of persecution. My theatrical highlight of the year!
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is widely considered a theatrical masterpiece and having seen Bristol Old Vic’s stunning production I can truly understand why. In 1954 the play received its British premiere at the theatre and now over 60 years later as a way of marking the 100th anniversary of Miller’s birth is being staged here once again.
A fine tribute to Miller’s genius and beautifully brought to life by director Tom Morris (War Horse, Swallows and Amazons) and his very talented cast, this is an epic thought provoking piece of theatre; powerful and penetrating this is never comfortable viewing but is undoubtedly beautifully crafted and undeniably compelling.
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Written in the early 1950s when the McCarthyist witch hunts of supposed Communists were at their height in the USA, Miller’s play outlines the way in which a Puritan community in 17th Century America implodes due to its obsessional fear of witchcraft and a deep distrust of the people living amongst them. It quite clearly draws distinct parallels to the situation in fifties America as it documents the brutality involved and the social impact of the overwhelming need to rout out the enemy within.
As political statements go this is very effective and resonates strongly today in a world where those who are different are very often mistrusted. Tom Morris supported this view when he stated of the play “It is a story of the founding of America, of course, and a story of the fears and hypocrisies of the 1950s, but the more I read it the more it feels to be a play about now.”
On the Bristol Old Vic’s stage a tale of hysteria, intolerance and fear unfolds with extreme energy and a certain amount of finesse. Providing a dramatised take on the tale of the Salem witch trials that took place in 1692 and 1693 the play follows a group of girls who go dancing in the forest where they are caught by the resident minister. To defend their unseemly behaviour the girls claim to have come across the devil cavorting and colluding with their neighbouring townsfolk. False accusations abound as personal grievances, rivalries and superstition are brought together and the townsfolk turn on each other with devastating consequences.
Central to the tale is the character of John Proctor. Fundamentally a good man, John is the catalyst for events as his romantic affair with and subsequent dismissal of local girl Abigail Williams is recognised. Abigail tries to use the town’s fear to her advantage, accusing respected members of the community of dabbling in witchcraft with the ultimate aim of discrediting the wife of the man she loves in the hope of winning back his affection. Whilst many in the town are happy to compromise their principles in the wake of the allegations, John is not and greatly troubled by his past indiscretions finds himself on a quest for redemption eventually paying the ultimate price.
This is a magnificent production staged on an incredible set, with full size trees making it seem as if you are in the forest with the characters. A circular stage also means some of the audience are sat right up there resembling villagers attending court as the tale unfolds and the ensemble strikingly communicate the suspicion under which the townsfolk lived and the trepidation with which they went about their everyday business.
Played with overwhelming honesty by Dean Lennox Kelly, John Proctor is shown as a flawed hero striving to make his peace; the internal battle to do the right thing conveyed by his every carefully nuanced word. As Abigail, Rona Morison really captures the quest for vengeance at the heart of this charismatic and manipulative young woman.
In a cast where everyone is outstanding it is difficult to note any performance over another, though David Hargreaves portrayal of the wrongfully accused Giles Corey was a highpoint, delivered with poignancy and a much needed dash of humour he displayed the bewilderment of a man whose life was falling apart.
This is a truly extraordinary adaption, bringing together a superb director and brilliant cast. An immense performance, providing an intense and powerful recount of Miller’s tale of persecution and totally captivating the audience. I can honestly say this genuinely fabulous piece of drama is my theatrical highlight of the year.
Showing at Bristol Old Vic until 7th November this is a production that should not be missed.
5/5
Reviewed by Sarah-Jane Howard for 365Bristol - the leading events and entertainment website for Bristol where local information matters.
Photos by Geraint Lewis
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
