Review: The Crucible ***

At York Theatre Royal

So it’s all change at York Theatre Royal. Instead of the usual mix of in-house and touring productions, they’ve assembled an ensemble of actors who over the the next seven months will perform eight different productions. The theatre itself has been transformed, the formal proscenium arch giving way to in-the-round to create a much more intimate space.

All of which begs the question, why choose a traditional staging of a play as safe as The Crucible to begin what is undoubtedly an ambitious project? Arthur Miller’s play of the Salem witch hunts of 1692 and the anti-Communist persecution in America in the 1950s is a staple of the school syllabus and thus a risk-free choice for theatres wanting to guarantee block bookings of seats.

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This is an entirely watchable production from director Juliet Forster who cranks up the atmosphere of fear and loathing as the numbers of those accused tip into three figures, and there are some fine performances. Lucille Sharp as the witch hunt ring leader Abigail Williams has a superb innocent facade, hiding an evil heart and Michael Roberts at Judge Danforth brings something of a Doctor Who villain to the production. However, by the final scene you can’t help feeling a little cheated. Launching an ensemble season is a brave move, sadly this first production lacked the same courage.

To May 28.

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