The Peak, Simon Fraser University's Student Newspaper since 1965, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6, e-mail: epeak@mail.peak.sfu.ca, phone: (604) 291-3597 fax: (604) 291-3786
Volume 92, Issue 3 January 22, 1996 Arts 

The Crucible

by Derek Cockram

I must say, I had pretty high expectations walking into the premiere of the Vancouver Playhouse production of The Crucible. When you go into a theatre knowing that the play is, in the words of assistant director Katrina Dunn, "one of the stronger pieces of theatrical writing" you have that hope that you might see something truly fantastic. Well, I wasn't disappointed.

The Crucible is Arthur Miller's artistic recreation of the Salem witch hunt. It tells the story of how 19 innocent people were murdered in the hysteria created by the false accusations of a group young girls. To avoid becoming overly melodramatic the script requires a sensitive and subtle performance; that is exactly what the Playhouse delivers. The production captured the thrust of Miller's play, even from the rise of the curtain. The young girls who would eventually come to be regarded as saints, were captured as the lights rose. They danced around a cauldron whipping themselves into a primal frenzy- it was wonderfully ironic. Although not in the original play, the scene seemed a perfect beginning. The girls caught up in sound and motion have lost all rationality. They have begun a dance that will enslave the population of their town in fear and paranoia. It was artistic touches such as this that really brought the play to life. At one point in the third act a group of farmers comes to try and inject some reason into a court that has lost its sanity. Their costumes, brown and tan earth tones contrast sharply with the black and white legal robes as deputy-governor Danforth declares, "A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it; there us no in between." Of course, all of these effects assume a great performance from the actors..

I am told that with theatre revenues being what they are, it can be difficult putting on a piece with so large a cast. I am completely at a loss as to how they then gathered the talent that they have. Randy Hughson is wonderful in his portrayal of the chief protagonist, John Proctor. He is entirely believable in a role that demands he be both vulnerable and a fortress of integrity. Wendy Noel, who plays his wife Elizabeth, balances his explosive passion with a character firm in quiet resolution. They are the perfect pair. Michael Ball and Tom McBeath also deserve special mention for they very sympathetic portrayal of the despicable governor Danforth and reverend Hale respectively. The only lead that seemed a little flat on opening night was Janne Mortil as Abigail Williams, the leader of the mischievous children. She was more angry than devious or sinister, but this is really a minor complaint. I was promised a great cast and it was delivered.

The set and costuming were extremely effective in creating an authenticity to the piece. I especially like the first transformation of the set which involves the whole cast, and immediately brought to mind the community effort required of the settlers in order to build. Each act the stage was transformed and to the credit of William Schmuck, the designer, no two locations seemed overly similar. The farmer's kitchen, designed for utility, is sparsely furnished without the slightest luxury, but it seems like a palace in comparison to the jail cell of the final act.

Before opening night I interviewed the very animated Katrina Dunn, an SFU Theatre graduate who is the show's assistant director. I was interested to know what relevance she thought the play had to a Vancouver audience of today. She responded, "The play is about a moral struggle, a person, a group of people trying to figure out how to do the right thing. I really think that in our play writing, and our theatre, and a lot in our film today we don't struggle with these moral dilemmas; I think we do need to ask these questions." She must have been quite happy with ferocious debates taking place in the lobby after the premiere. It really is a play that forces introspection; my girlfriend and I were still talking about integrity over breakfast the following day.

Admittedly, The Crucible isn't as cheap as your Tuesday night movie, but it is so rare to see such an excellent play in such an epic production that you really should find a way to get to it before it ends February 3rd. I'm absolutely certain you won't be disappointed.


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