Miller used the tale of the infamous witchcraft trials that had been held in Salem, Massachusetts during the late 17th century to illustrate the devastation that can be wreaked on the innocent by the misuse of one or more of these forces.
The hysteria that occurred in Salem after a series of events that appeared to be inexplicable by other than supernatural means was used by Miller to indict the excesses of McCarthyism that was sweeping the United States in the 1940s and 50s. The climate of fear created by the accusations of communism at that time cost many of his friends their careers – and some their lives. Truth was the casualty, as always in such circumstances.
The young girls in Salem, innocent – and not so innocent –start playing games that turn into something dangerous, both to themselves and those around them. To disguise what they have been doing they tell lies and soon begin to believe those lies. What is real and what merely appears to be real? Some know but not all are telling…or listening.
Cast and crew
Director
Julie NoeverCast
Betty Parris - Nadia SimRev Samual Parris - Chris Reid
Tituba - Christine Gibbs
Abigail Williams - Florence Hartigan
Susanna Wallcott - Liz MacIntosh
Mrs Ann Putnam - Sonya Stewart
Thoma Putnam - Damian Bertanees
Mercy Lewis - Natalie Milne
Mary Warren - Tali Perret-Jeaner
John Proctor - Bengy Barsanti
Rebecca Nurse - Ruth Wheeler
Giles Corey - Matt Haliday
Reverend John Hale - Lliam Munro
Elizabeth Proctor - Juliette Sandall
Francis Nurse - Jim Conradson
Ezekiel Cheever - Robert Styles
Deputy-Governor Danforth - Andrew Patterson
Sarah Good - Christine Hurst
Crew
Stage Manager - H-J KilkellyStage Manager - Andrew Cook
Lighting Design - Robert Styles
Lighting Operation - Ben Vickers
Sound Operation - Sophie Elliott
Set Design - Andrew Cook
Set Construction/Properti - Andrew Cook
Set Construction/Properti - H-J Kilkelly
Wardrobe - Katie Roxborogh
Wardrobe - Charlotte Handley
Wardrobe - Nikki Gerard
Makeup - Anya Sinclair
Makeup - Katie Roxborogh
Poster Design - Aynia Noever
Publicity - Aynia Noever
Publicity - Rosemary Beresford
Photography - Reg Graham
Front of House - Alison Finigan