The Crucible – Lyceum

The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh presents:

The Crucible

Written by Arthur Miller and Directed by John Dove

Performances run: 18th February – 19th March 2016

“I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil!”

When young women are discovered trying to conjure spirits, the God-fearing people of Salem, Massachusetts are told the devil is in their midst and must be rooted out at all costs. Accusations fly, scores are settled, and fear and suspicion reign. With terrifying power and momentum their faith becomes a murderous instrument of lust, paranoia and revenge.

Written during Joe McCarthy’s anti-communist trials in America, this classic tale of the witch hunts in colonial New England still stands as a powerful parable against the politics of fear.

Following huge acclaim for All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, The Price and A View from the Bridge, Lyceum Associate Artist, John Dove, returns to direct The Crucible, completing The Lyceum’s acclaimed journey through the best loved works of Arthur Miller.

The ensemble cast are Meghan Tyler as Abigail Williams, Isabella Jarrett as Ann Putnam, Ron Donachie as Dep. Gov. Danforth , Irene Allan as Elizabeth Proctor , Robert Jack as Ezekiel Cheever, Richard Addison as Francis Nurse,  Mark McDonnell  as Judge Hathorne, Kirsty MacKay as Mary Warren, Joanna Tope as Rebecca Nurse, Richard Conlon as Rev. John Hale, Greg Powrie as Rev. Parris, Kirsty MacLaren as Susannah Walcott, Doug Russell as Thomas Putnam,  Anne Odeke as Tituba, Philip Cairns as John Proctor, David Beames as Giles Corey and Dan Travis as Marshal Herrick. Christina Gordon and Caitlin Mitchard from Lyceum Youth Theatre play the role of Betty Parris on alternate performances.

The full creative team are director John Dove, designer Michael Taylor, lighting designer Tim Mitchell, composer Philip Pinsky and assistant director Robert Jack.

Director John Dove says:

 “The Edinburgh audience seems to have a peerless rapport with Arthur Miller, and to many this is his greatest play. The Salem witch trials are its inspiration, the McCarthy trials of the 40’s were its genesis. The USA was in ferment after the second world war with terror of Communism and the USSR. And the fear was similar to many fears in our society today where uneasiness prompts whispered lies and cover-ups, from the world of Edward Snowden’s revelations to the fears which have prompted police investigations under Operation Yew Tree. And that a finger pointed can mean guilt with only a shred of evidence. Miller writes with huge inventiveness and flair, and points to a shifting world of uncertainty which is very much present with us today.”

This production is sponsored by Gleneagles with additional support from The Unity Theatre Trust.

PERFORMANCES

18 February – 19 March 2016: Evenings (7.30pm) Matinees (2pm)

TICKETS

£13- £29.50

For tickets phone 0131 248 4848 or book online at www.lyceum.org.uk

ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES

Touch Tours for visually impaired: Thursday 3^rd March at 6.15pm & Saturday 5^th March at 12.45pm

Audio-described Performances: Thursday 3^rd March 7.30pm & Saturday 5^th March at 2pm

BSL Interpreted Performance: Wednesday 9^th March at 7.30pm

Captioned Performance: Saturday 12 March at 2pm

EXPLORE THE PLAYS

Focus On – Theatre Talks

Wednesday 2^nd March, 10.30am-12 noon. Tickets: £7 inc. tea and coffee

Post-Show Discussion

Tuesday 1^st March. FREE, no ticket required