‘One of the greatest plays by the greatest dramatist of the 20th century’
Sunday Times

When a group of young women are discovered attempting to conjure spirits in the forest, the Puritan town of Salem is gripped by fear. Does Satan really walk amongst the townspeople, or is there something even more sinister afoot? The community becomes paralysed by terror and religious extremism and the girls fuel a deadly climate of panic and intolerance with accusations of witchcraft against fellow parishioners. Empowered by this witch-hunt hysteria, their ringleader, Abigail, senses an opportunity to take revenge against the lover who spurned her, John Proctor. But as Proctor heroically struggles to expose the truth, the power of Abigail’s malicious accusation shatters the peace in Salem and events spiral out of control.

The Crucible is based on the incredible stories of the 1662 witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, referred to by Miller as “one of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history”. When it was written, Miller drew obvious parallels with Senator McCarthy’s anti-Communist “witch-hunts” of the 1950s, during which time Miller faced prison for not denouncing his friends. His passionate and timeless masterpiece retains freshness and pertinence today, reminding us that tyranny can come in many forms.

Following successive productions of Death Of A Salesman, A View From The Bridge and Broken Glass, The Crucible will complete the Octagon’s cycle of Arthur Miller’s greatest dramas which define and map the social and emotional life of twentieth century America and the Western World.

This production will be supported by a wide range of activ8’s educational resources including: a teachers’ pack, workshops and INSET sessions. Call activ8 at the Octagon on 01204 556501 for information.

Cast and Creative Team

Booking Information: