‘So gripping, so wonderfully well performed, it was a very rewarding evening indeed….’ Pauline Surrey. NODA
This was a hard watch, yet so gripping, so wonderfully well performed, it was a very rewarding evening indeed. The fact that we watched it on a glorious summer’s evening in the wonderful grounds of Merrist Wood, with its fabulous views, swifts soaring overhead as the sun set, and the temperature finally cooling from over 30 degrees, was of course an added bonus. As usual the Guildburys provided a well-designed set. A wood-panelled barn or farmhouse, even the microphones were placed into little envelopes of sheepskin. The symmetrical gabled beams of the roofline looked good against the blue sky. There were two entrances, right and left, and one in the middle, which, with a stable door-like construction, transformed from a square window to a doorway, or a hearth. Very effective indeed. Props were simple and easily moved: a bed (consisting of two benches), a stool, a desk, some chairs. There was a riding crop hanging over a door, used only once in anger, and the fateful poppet, made of rough hessian type material, with a very long pin in its middle!
Both lighting and sound were very effective throughout. There was some ominous drumming from both back and front of the performance area at the start of each half. Costumes were, as usual with Guildburys, excellent, with great attention to detail. For example, wealthy landowner Thomas Putnam was clad in brown leather jacket with cutaway strips, his trousers too. The two Reverends wore black clerical dress with white collars, knee breeches, white stockings and buckled shoes. Ezekiel Cheever, clerk of the court, had a splendid white Puritan-type collar, and carried an important looking box for his papers. Judge Hathorne and Governor Danforth looked most imposing in white ruffled collars – enough to scare any village folk before they’d even opened their mouths! The village women wore simple dresses, or smocks over skirts, with aprons. The men had smocks, jerkins and boots. John Proctor’s jerkin was a fine brown leather one. Congratulations to the costume team.
This production, so well-directed by Tim Brown, will stay in my memory for a long time, due largely not just for Miller’s script, but to the quality of the performances. Jay Orbaum was magnificent in his nuanced portrayal of John Proctor, we were able to see into the man’s mind, live his fears, guilt, anger and horror. I have seen Amy Scott in many roles, but this was her finest. She provided such a believable Elizabeth Proctor, the wronged wife, uncertain now of how to behave towards her husband (and father of her 3, soon to be 4 children), yet gradually developing a calm, steady strength and resolve as the horrors evolve around her. The final scene between these two will stay with me.
The two Reverends were also finely drawn by Dan Wigmore as the over-righteous, bigoted Reverend Parris of the village, and Martin Gardner, as the more thoughtful Reverend Hale, brought in by Parris to get to the bottom of the mysterious illness of his daughter Betty, and the possible involvement of witchcraft. Parris remained bigoted, panicked, hard in his conviction that justice must be served. Hale soon realised the madness and hysteria and was the voice of reason. He became desperate to stop the horrors, so many good upright citizens imprisoned and executed. A case in point, of course, was Rebecca Nurse, a highly respected and pious woman, who remained calm as everyone panicked over Betty’s illness. Ann Putnam accused her of murdering her seven babies. When falsely accused and condemned to hang, she refused to make a false confession and chooses execution. A small but important part (there was a real Rebecca Nurse), and Pam Hemelryk exuded that calm conviction really well, a delight to see. Her husband Francis was a good performance too from Eddie Woolrich. Another devastated husband was Giles Corey, who feared he had doomed his wife himself, by wondering out loud at the fact she had started reading books. David Hemsley-Brown brought out his despair and bewilderment very well. Sarah Gibbons was wonderful too as Mary Warren, the Proctor’s serving girl, initially timid, but gaining strength and pride as she was appointed an official of the court. She tried to tell the truth and defend Elizabeth Proctor, but in the end she caved in. Very well-portrayed, all her initial timidity, her later pride and strength, conviction to do what’s right, and then final capitulation as Abigail and the girls intimidated her.
Abigail Williams, the ringleader of the gang of mischievous forest dancers, the cause of all the trouble, was a good part for Alice Kermeen. She was vindictive, and wished to destroy Elizabeth, who had dismissed Abigail having discovered John’s dalliance with her. All innocent seeming, but a nasty schemer.
Governor Danforth, the voice of authority who headed up the court, was a wily, formidable character, who would have put the fear of God into anyone. We realised he was only interested in furthering his power and influence, no matter how m any innocent people had to die. Unwavering, arrogant, harsh, Matthew Lacey was impressive in this role.
Last but not least, I must mention Tommy Haines, who I felt made a very good Marshal Willard, basically the local bobby. He portrayed very well the Marshal’s developing bewilderment then horror as he realised the dreadful role he had to play in the madness that had overtaken his village, full of characters he knew and respected (and of course he turned to drink).
Tim Brown had found an excellent cast, all 17 of them, and can congratulate them and himself o providing a very fine production to enthral us in the beauty of Merrist Wood’s grounds. A pity this is not Guildburys’ year of performing at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall – I would have loved to have seen it there!
Pauline Surrey
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Our NODA awards. Click on the link to see the show page.
- 2025: Hangmen – Accolade of Excellence and winner Best Drama
- 2024: Entertaining Angels – Accolade of Excellence and nominated Best Drama
- 2019: Blue Stockings – Accolade of Excellence and nominated Best Drama
- 2019: The Government Inspector – Accolade of Excellence
- 2017: The Lady in the Van – Accolade of Excellence
- 2016: Waiting for Godot – Accolade of Excellence
- 2013: The Memory of Water – Accolade of Excellence
- 2012: The Royal Baccarat Scandal – Accolade of Excellence
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CAST AND PRODUCTION TEAM OF THE CRUCIBLE!
