preview

Critical Analysis Of The Crucible

Decent Essays

THE CRUCIBLE – from extinction to contemporary perfection There’s a handful of plays that you just can’t go through life without watching. The soul-shattering immortal plays that lose no impact or resonance as time goes on. For Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the emotional connection to present day is arguably stronger than at the time of production; transforming it from a historical tragedy to a contemporary morality play. This production ticks every box; from staging to acting, the play is refined down to absolute fluidity. Immersing themselves in the roles completely, the actors in the Old Vic production embody Miller’s characters in ways unparalleled by other performances. Seeing the actors wholly capture the raw emotions of their complex characters brings the play to life, and with their efforts, the audience feels so deeply along with them. It is unsurprising to see that the perceptive director, Yaël Farber, omitted nothing in favour of concision. The most fundamental pivotal moment in the play is much regarded as unnecessary by many directors; the scene in the Proctor household revealing the tension within the pair, which helps us to see their marriage unravelling parallel to society unhinging with Salem’s witch trials. A critical, impassioned, and somewhat indispensable scene underpins Miller’s entire work; enabling us to see the strain moral panics can have on the most personal, intimate relationships; a husband and wife. Farber recognises the significance of this

Get Access