The Melbourne Theatre Company's latest production, The Crucible, is absolutely stunning.
The first thing you notice is the stark and powerful set, which grows ever-more ominous and suffocating throughout the long but thoroughly engaging production. The use of music and ambient sound is sparse and perfectly timed, creeping up on you while you are engrossed with the happenings in front of you.
A great many people will be drawn to see The Crucible simply to catch a glimpse of David Wenham on stage as the main protagonist John Proctor, and his performance is well worth admission price alone. Apart from one fairly awkward scene with Elizabeth Nabben, who plays his former lover and chief troublemaker Abigail Williams, his performance is wonderful.
In fact, there is not one weak link among the cast, who all work seamlessly together to build tension and a strong sense of foreboding. The Crucible is a striking production of Arthur Miller's text, forcing its audience to reflect on the nature of sin, our tendency to run with the pack, and on the best and worst of humanity.
The Crucible plays at the Southbank Theatre, The Sumner until Saturday August 3.
From here.
About the production
