Written as a parable to the McCarthyite communist hunts in America, The Crucible was considered extremely anti-American in its time and got Miller into a lot of trouble. This was his biggest success. Let's all admit that a play is pretty dreary way to protest. It's hardly punk rock or toy-toying.
Barbara Basel, who has been involved in children's and amateur theatre for more than 40 years, has done a fine task in keeping the script as original as possible, which is this play's strong point and also its weakest.
You will see The Crucible for two reasons: either you are an Arthur Miller fan, or you always wanted to see The Crucible (for whatever reason). It's great for academics and drama lovers, but if you are neither of these, it will bore you to death. No doubt about it.
The acting was, it must be said, top drawer. Opening night, to a reviewer, means nervous actors, missing lines etc. I always thought it would be more justified if a play was reviewed on its final night, when the actors know the entire four acts off by heart, but that defeats the purpose. Thankfully, nothing shouted "opening night".
Dean Howarth makes a convincing John Proctor. Good job Dean.
An unintended, and uncalled for, chuckle was given by the audience when Moegamat Razak Johnson, who plays Marshall Herrick, walked on stage with a mission and spoke his lines in a Cape Malay accent, in stark contrast to the other actors' well-pronounced old-English pronunciation.
But Boeta Gamat was on to something, if only he'd spread it around a little more to the rest of the cast and crew.
Hence, it would have been better to see Barbara and co. doing a bit more of a South African take on what is really old American history. Instead of witches, sangomas; instead of priests, conservative apostolic dominees. Bringing it all back home for a bit. All set in either in the bad old days of the rooi en swart gevaar or whatever is on the hit list this week.
The point I'm trying to make is that somewhere in our similar histories there could have been something that would have made this play worth seeing. In not doing this, I think they really missed the boat. I don't think that Arthur Miller was rolling in his grave, but I swear I could almost hear him groan. Just about the time I realised half the audience disappeared after the interval, from boredom, according to some I spoke to. A shame for an overall, a worthy attempt. But no cigar.
The Crucible runs at the Masque Theatre from till the 12 March 2011.
Show times:
Fridays, 4 & 11 March: 8pm
Saturdays, 5 & 12 March: 2.30pm; 7pm
Thursday, 10 March: 8pm
Booking can be done through the Masque Booking line: 021 788 1898, which is open on weekdays from 9.00am to 4.00pm and Saturdays from 8.30am to 11.30am. Tickets are R60 for evening shows, and R50 for matinées.
