The National sets us off right into Spooky Season with the retelling of the classic tale, The Crucible directed by Lyndsey Turner. Immediately thrown into a grand atmosphere gushing rain from the ceiling and the distant flickering of two candles placed neatly on a table on stage. It’s hard not to be in awe, a feeling that only seems to expand during your experience with this show. As a very loved, famous tale (although one I’m not familiar with myself) the audience will be very sure on the story that they will be viewing, to make this individual and give it the impact that it is capable of is certainly a task: one that they handled with edge and power.
We are firstly introduced to our cast in a beautifully haunting choral song, one that follows through the performance and growing only when horror begins to take over the town. John Proctor (Brendan Cowell) takes his occasional visit to the church and revenge pursues after him in the form of Abigail Williams (Erin Doherty). As their secret affair is revealed to us fairly early the characters forward their survival instincts, clawing at the truth as the town spirals out of control with fear of the wrath of God. A purge against the women of the town ensues as the threat of witchcraft is revealed, and the witnesses to this crime are the young teenage girls who plead they were caught dancing in the woods at Tituba’s (Sophia Brown) command and her direct link to Satan.
The actors hit this piece with full force. From the moment they step onto the stage, they are wrapped in darkness giving the illusion of appearing out of nowhere. An incredibly impressive job from crew Es Devlin (Set Designer) and Tim Lutkin (Lighting Designer) who completely transformed the piece into a Halloween fantasy.
Although being one of the longer pieces on at the moment (2 hours and 55 mins) it is well worth it as the energy never ceases to drop. The downfall of Abigail as her plan falls apart is spectacular as with her lack of control we see grander and grander gestures to try and convince the jury of her false truths. With this comes a desperate Proctor who watches his wife take the fall for all of his wrong doings. Our good moral characters, Reverend Hale (Fisayo Akinade) and Elizabeth Proctor (Eileen Walsh) carried the audience brilliantly as we felt their frustration, fear and desperation. Walsh was a true hero of this piece.
A brilliant Halloween season treat!
Playing until 5th November 2022, https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-crucible
Reviewer: Alice Rose
Reviewed: 4th October 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★