THE CRUCIBLE till 23 October then touring

Birmingham
THE CRUCIBLE: Arthur Miller
Birmingham Rep till 23 October then Touring
Tkts 0121 236 4455
Runs 3 h, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 5th October 2004

A great play handled with great understanding: a John and Elizabeth Proctor you could just watch over and over again.THE CRUCIBLE is something of a phenomenon. Miller's handling of the drama, of its highs and lows, his ability to tantalise us with resolution, is a lesson to all who would write plays. He stretches out his ending to create an unbearable tension and, although three hours long, never for a moment do we want to look at our watches. But perhaps Miller's greatest achievement is to keep his story 1000 per cent up front yet never obscure his theme.

Towering over all in this expertly moulded production is Malcolm Storry as John Proctor. I've frequently written about Storry (and hope to on many more occasions), here he explores emotional depths. Storry allows Proctor uncontrollable despair and anger while, as an actor, retaining great control. Such moments mark the boundaries of a thrilling dramatic journey; from the solid Proctor of the opening, to the held-back Proctor in the first scene with his wife, to the glorious final moments of his personal tragedy and the moment of terrible hope in the play.

Patricia Kerrigan makes a perfect wife in the drama for Storry. Kerrigan's Elizabeth is restrained, understated me might even dislike her (is this fair?) But her own moment of truth is perfectly gauged. If we have disliked her how we must reassess our views. The Storry-Kerrigan scenes shine like beacons.

There is much more to be admired in this production. Paul Shelley gives us a totally believable 'reasonable man' in Rev Hales and his growing anguish resonates with us. Sara Beharrell is both touching and frightening as Mary Warren. Mary Wimbush brings a lovely simple dignity to Rebecca Nurse and Angela Phinnimore (Tituba) winds up the whole machine and sets it going in her telling Scene One intervention.

Full credits to follow

2004-10-07 09:53:58