‘I Love God, I am with God…’ -The Crucible, The Orchard Theatre, Dartford 14.03.2017

Tonight was my first visit to this particular theatre, even with it being so close by! I am now delighted to say that I will be returning to this theatre more often for future Pres Nights at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford.

When we took to our seats I was not sure as to what to expect within the auditorium, tonight based in Row N seats 5, and 6 we were on the aisle on stage left. Our view was brilliant, with no obstructions throughout and faces visible, however at times the off stage could be seen which became distracting with actors coming in and out of the door.  I would recommend these seats, however looking around the auditorium I feel similar to the Churchill it is highly unlikely you would have a bad seat for the price you pay!

Tonight’s showing was a play, a play that I studied in my GCSE days at school, however that being said I had forgotten most of the storyline but knew the plot. This may be because when I was studying we would focus on certain scenes and never the whole play, so to see if performed throughout was great.

The Crucible written by famous play writer Arthur Miller, based in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 witchcraft has cast a shadow over the village leaving the community in fear. Reverend Parris, discovers his daughter and niece in the woods appearing to summon the Devil, which leads to a rise in woman being accused of being witches and worshipping Satan.

A powerful, gripping story that draws you in to the honest truth of the infamous witch trials, and discover the truth in what horrific events accrued to those who were accused. An age of anxiety within America, when communities were communist which was known as McCarthyism.

Director Douglas Rintoul displayed the play in a beautiful manner, that drew the audience in, and was brilliantly performed by his strong cast. The staging  of the production designed by Anouk Schiltz was very well planned, and simplistic to allow the audience to focus on the story, than the constant set changes. I particularly loved the stage directions being projected onto the stage for when the a character would enter introducing them but providing the audience with a little background as how they were portrayed.

The Cast tonight were as follows:

Betty Parris – Leona Allen

Francis Nurse – Paul Beech

Reverend Parris – Cornelius Clarke

Reverend Hale – Charlie Condou

Giles Corey – David Delve

Abigail Williams – Lucy Keirl

Ezekiel Cheever – David Kirkbridge

Judge Hathorne – Patrick McKenzie

Ann Putnam/Susanna Walcott/ Sarah Good – Eleanor Montgomery

Thomas Oynam/Marshall Herrick – Carl Patrick

Mary Warren/Rebecca Nurse- Augstina Seymour

John Proctor – Eoin Slattery

Judge Danforth – Jonathan Tafler

Elizabeth Proctor – Victoria Yeates

Tituba/Mercy Lewis – Diana Yekinni

The most recognised names within the cast would be Reverend Hale played by Charlie Condou, known for his role in Coronation Street he takes on a different role as the Reverend who has come to Salem at the time of panic. Charlie portrays the role well, demonstrating the anger and frustration of his desperate plea to help those accused when he see’s through what is unfolding in front of him is false and wrong.

Victoria Yeates also comes from TV’s Call the Midwife portrays the role of Elizabeth a farmers wife to John Proctor Eoin Slattery. A fragile relationship at first, but you see their love and care for each other following their past. Eoin’s love and determination to fight for Elizabeth’s innocence is greatly portrayed after she is wrongly accused of being a witch by the girls in the village, and you can’t help but wish it will all work out, becoming frustrated when Elizabeth stands by her husband to protect his name (there was a loud gasp from the audience when that moment happens). Both speak their lines with such confidence that each line is felt and heard, they were a delight to watch.

The girls of the village Abigail, Betty, Mercy and Mary portrayed by Lucy, Leona, Diana, and Augustina not only took on these roles but others to, and displayed two separate characters that at time you felt there was a whole new person playing them. Lucy however remained in the role of Abigail, the leader of the group who drives the girls to lie, confess, and play a part in the trials of Salem, when all along it was her who started it. You can’t help but be angry with her, but due to her being a young girl in a time so hard, and in love with a man whom she shouldn’t, her actions at times were understandable and desperate. Lucy portrayed this role well, and with ease truly understanding the part and the character throughout.

The full cast had the audience on the edge of the seat. It is a story that is one that stays with you, and leaves you thinking about it the following day. The Crucible is currently playing at the Orchard till the 18th March for tickets go here. It will then continue on its tour around the UK for more information go here.