The Crucible - The Movie

For your viewing pleasure, another of our short promo films.

The Crucible - What's Being Said.....

The cast of The Crucible. Image: Ian Tilton

I have gathered a few reviews so far from current production of The Crucible. First up a quote from a member of the audience:

The show was amazing. I was honestly blown away by it and have heartily recommended it to...well, anyone who will listen to me rave about it really!

There have also been reviews in The Bolton News (read it here), Manchester Evening News (see here), The Stage (here), Lancashire Evening Post (here), another at Reviewsgate (here), Manchester Confidential (here) and last, but by no means least, The Guardian.

We also got a nice review from The Metro (4 stars). I can never find their reviews online so I have included a transcript below. It appeared in the Metro Life section on Monday (yesterday) if you have a copy!

Having successfully staged other Arthur Miller classics A View From The Bridge and Death Of A Salesman, Octagon Artistic Director Mark Babych has now turned his head to The Crucible with stirring results.

Utilising an 18-strong cast, but fairly simple staging, Babych lets Miller's acute allegory of political witch-hunts speak for itself, trading smoke and mirrors trickery for powerful, measured performances.

First staged in 1953, at the height of senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist crusade, it ostensibly focuses on the 17th-century Salem witch-hunt, when the fabrications of a group of young girls, led to the death of 20 people. Miller, who was himself targeted by McCarthy, uses this set-up to explore questions of faith, community, the fallibility of our leaders and the importance of personal truth.

Though this is definitely an ensemble piece, there are several stand-out turns, including Catherine Kinsella's eerie performance as malevolent teen Abigail Williams, Mairead Conneely's superbly stoic Elizabeth Proctor, Sean O'Callaghan's snivelling Reverend Parris and the beautiful, brooding Chook Sibtain as flawed hero John Proctor.

Babych may be doing nothing new or particularly daring with this straightforward staging, but this classy production of a classic play has real contemporary resonance: its core message of loyalty to one's principles and peers is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.

Bewitching Photography

The Crucible opened on Thursday. Having had a sneak preview of the dress rehearsal, I couldn't wait to see this with an audience. The piece has a cinematic feel to it which I am sure is something to do with the amazing music, composed for us by Chris Madin. And, if ever a production is suited to the round, it is this one. Being in the round gives the piece a realism (or is it naturalism??), as the actors interact with each other and 'look in' on proceedings rather than 'talking to the audience' as they might in a more conventional stage set up.

I found the seating layout particularly effective during the court scenes. I must admit to squirming in my seat on numerous occasions, not due to that fact I wasn't enjoying the show but I felt, as an audience member, I was also part of the court. A silent witness to the events taking place on stage, and powerless to prevent the tragic outcome or expose the accusers! Anyway I think that's enough from me. Why not take a look at some of the production photos? Ian had his work cut out on this one, what with a cast of 18 to focus on and a round stage, but he has pulled it off with some fantastic images. Thanks Ian.

The Crucible - Casting News

Happy New Year one and all! Hope you all enjoyed your festive break and are looking forward to what 2008 will bring. We've got some great theatre planned for 2008 continuing with the run of A Christmas Carol (playing until 19 January) and followed by The Crucible which opens at the end of the month.

I am particularly excited about The Crucible as this will be the first time I have seen a production here staged in 'the round' and according to my longer serving colleagues it will be the first time we have staged an Octagon production in the round since 2002! So welcome back 'the round' - its nice to see you again!

Not only will be welcoming this new seating shape, I would also like to welcome one of the biggest casts to ever grace the Octagon stage. Mark has assembled a fine cast which includes some Octagon Theatre favourites making a welcome return including some MEN Theatre award winners amongst them and some actors new to Octagon audiences. I am sure you will welcome them in your usual positive, enthusiatic way!

Matt Rixon, who appeared in the recent smash hit Oh What A Lovely War, is joined by Hayley Jayne Standing and Sue Twist who appeared in the Manchester Evening News award-winning play And Did Those Feet. John Proctor will be played by Chook Sibtain from the opening show of the Anniversary Season, Lisa's Sex Strike.

Left to right: Matt Rixon, Hayley Jayne Standing, Susan Twist, Chook Sibtain

Other Octagon Theatre regulars Eileen O'Brien, who previously appeared in The Beauty Queen of Leenane in 2005 and won an MEN award for her performance, Leigh Symonds who also received an MEN award for his role in Popcorn, Maireed Conneely (Shining City), Catherine Kinsella (A View From the Bridge) and Stuart Fox who along with the other members of the cast was nominated for yet another MEN award for Best Actor in a Visiting Production for Blue/Orange.

Left to right: Eileen O'Brien, Leigh Symonds, Mairead Conneely, Catherine Kinsella and Stuart Fox