The Crucible

A Mermaids Production

Byre Theatre, St Andrews

15/10/2024 – 16/10/2024

Directed by Sophia David

Produced by Carrie Cheung

Written by Arthur Miller

Review by Mali Delargy

I was getting ready to leave for The Byre when my wall-mounted mirror flew to the floor and, as it went, caught the switch to the only light in the room. I had been listening to a transcript of Goody Proctor’s real-life confession when I was plunged into pitch darkness. From one freakishly uncanny atmosphere to another, I left my room for the Mermaid’s production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

After three hours of tense witchcraft, accusation and testing of the human spirit, I can enthusiastically say that this was the best student production I have seen at the Byre. With a simple, effective set design (thanks to Stage Manager Rowan Kehrer) and thoughtful, dramatic lighting (Robert ‘Romo’ Moran), the play spilt towards its audience. The use of dazzling red light to blind the audience during a scene change, putting us in a crucible of sorts, will not be forgotten in a hurry. It was impossible to escape the constant thought of watching and being watched, be this caused by the lingering presence of cast members, recurring off-stage chanting or the devilish choreography between bewitched women. These were compelling and were admirably performed.

However, as the play is largely concerned with ideas of power imbalance and scapegoating, I thought it a baffling decision to cast a white woman as Tituba (Taylor Boonzaier). In the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, her enslavement as a non-white figure is integral to her treatment by the community. While I struggled to reconcile these ideas, I leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Despite this, the incredible enthusiasm of each cast member was undeniably convincing – even in the face of a single edge-of-my-seat forgotten line moment, the occasional mumbling and noticeable amount of perhaps unnecessary shouting. The audience were swept away by the emotional conflict of the community, the moral tension between good and evil, the nonsensical reason of the church and court as well as the zealous passion of the young girls. For a rather long play, the energy of the cast carried us without fail.

It would be entirely remiss of me if I did not give special attention to Imogen Griffiths (as Abigail) as well as Buster Ratcliffe Van Der Geest (as Judge Danforth) and Jack Dams (as Reverend Hale), all of whom gave impressive and compelling performances. In particular, Griffiths’ ability to unite psychological terror with small, comedic moments was highly entertaining, becoming a largely enjoyable and strangely likeable character.

Abigail’s power over her impressionable followers was haunting and resonated with something I was told before the play began – ‘I wonder why there are so many women!’. If I were to attempt an answer, it would be because of the cast’s beautifully executed examination of power in the hands of the oppressed.

While there is always room for improvement, The Crucible is a stirring, ambitious performance. I would heartily encourage a visit to The Byre for Wednesday night’s performance!