The Crucible

Stray Cats Theatre presented a moving and heartfelt version of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in the intimate Fishtrap Theatre in the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.

The set design (Karen Francis and Bronwyn White) reminds us that this is a small colonial settlement at the edge of an untamed wilderness, and the frequent British accents reflect the immigrant nature of this colony.

Anchoring this production is a compelling, deep and captivating performance by Paul Hayward as John Proctor, a performance that is intelligent and well measured. Hayward’s relationship with Elizabeth Proctor is perfectly imperfect and very believable, as Wendy Kennel gives an excellent and dignified portrayal of this young wife accused of witchcraft. Hayward also works well with Abbey McCaughan, who is a headstrong and powerful Abigail.

In a cast of two dozen it is difficult to mention every performer, but the most memorable include Diana Oliver’s outstanding (aged up) rendering of the almost saintly Rebecca Nurse, Oliver Clare’s very genuine and conflicted Reverend Hale, Scott Hansen’s illogically immoveable Judge Danforth, Aimée Gray’s very layered and conflicted Mary Warren and Tara Elliot’s gorgeously accented Tituba.

The production began in the foyer with a movement prologue that alludes to the “dancing in the woods” that is the catalyst for the action in the play. This continued into the theatre and was well performed, an interesting way to ease the audience into the production.

While the Fishtrap is not equipped with three hour chairs, this was a production that maintained its energy and pace throughout. While the marathon was too much for some (the audience lost some of its number at interval), most of the audience remained very much engaged by the strong commitment in this retelling of this classic play.

Kimberley Shaw