Last evening was my first time at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park and the play being performed was Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”. The play, while not without its difficulties is nonetheless recommended viewing. It’s much more than just another evening at the theatre and the themes should be a matter for discussion, reflection and action. When Miller wrote the play it was entirely allegorical about the 17th century witch hunts in Salem, Massachusetts. He drew on these events to highlight McCarthy's right wing vendetta against those in the performing arts and other notorious positions in the US of the 1950s, who might harbor any communist tendencies. Today, it could be applied to all sorts of issues – whistle blowing as vengeful tool, inciting peer acquiesence in a harmful way, over reliance and acceptance of institutions of rule such as the court and the church – neither of which are always right. Today, the publication of the Saville Inquiry Report into Bloody Sunday is an instance of a flawed institution (The Army) literally getting away with murder even if it cost £120million and 38 years for the fault to be unearthed and acknowledged. Despite the acknolwedgement and the prime minsterial apology it seems they will get away with it. Another insitution which got away with gross misdemeanours for years is the Catholic Church in Ireland. However, I digress, so, back to the play. It is a difficult play with a large array of characters whose lyrics are dated and stilted to the modern ear and era. However, after a while, like a scar on a face, this becomes less noticeable and before long it's possible to listen to and understand the text. There's another challenge with this particular performance and that is the venue itself. While enchanting on the one hand, by 10.00pm it’s bloody cold and the concentration needed for this play is put to the test with the evening chill. Challenges aside however, there are no regrets about attending the performance. Indeed as time elapses after leaving the theatre, the play’s themes and events return to the mind for interpretation and consideration. The set itself was wonderful and the array of girls sitting around the stage reacting in communion with events being enacted was an effective visual ploy. There was one outstanding performance. Patrick O'Kane played the central character, John Proctor. The transformation from his first appearance as a confident man striding on stage to his last appearance as an utterly broken one is firmly planted in the mind. The cast is enormous and all performed the play to great effect. All in all, this play is more than worth the effort.
Thanks for your kind words on my wordpress blog. I used to write everyday on various Blogger accounts up until a few years ago. To answer your query about The Crucible, I had written a small review but I felt my efforts were poor and drafted it immediately. My writing style is pretty whimisical and I often find myself aimlessly observing, where perhaps I should be offering analysis and insight. It was also my first time at the Open Air Theatre and I thoroughly enjoyed the play. I loved how the white-bonneted pilgrim girls spookily eavesdropped on every scene. They were like poetic chess pieces and the use of the elements was particularly chilling. Will keep tabs on your blog. It's been a good read so far.
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