Back again!

Arthur Miller has written some fabulous plays, one of my favourites is A View From A Bridge until today it was the only Miller play I'd seen on stage. However, today I embarked on a cheeky trip to Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre to watch The Crucible.

In case you aren't aware of the back story here it is (I did not write this myself it's from the back of the little Crucible leaflet):

Betty Parris lies in a trance after a childish game spins out of control, and accusation of witchcraft are quickly  manipulated by those with something to gain. However, when false allegations reach fever pitch, the devout community of Salem descends into a cauldron of hysteria it can never return from.

Written in the 1950s when the insidious fear of communism gripped America, THE CRUCIBLE is a devastating portrayal of the human cost of tyranny and vengeance.

Besides the play itself being absolutely phenomenal, the Royal Exchange was like nothing I've never seen before! I mean it was stunning. The stage was in the centre and the seats surrounded it going up, we were in the second gallery; I thought this was at the top but I may be wrong. Elly Higgenbottom (did you read my last post) said that the Royal Exchange used to be an old station I want to say and so it's built with the stage and seats in the centre -circular- then when the play is on the outside around it is used as the backstage. How fascinating?!

I applaud the cast for the breathtaking adaptation the provided I mean the performance had us on the edge of our seat, I could of believed they were under the demonic influences the way they were portraying it. WOW. I was a fan of the Irish actors too, I mean those accents *I'm the emojii with hearts for eyes/monkey covering it's mouth/tears^ One sounded like Jamie Dornan...ultimate love.

What I found quite shocking about the play itself is how what may seem like a strong communtiy based around the Parish and it's church can fall apart so easily. It's heartbreaking to see how people would risk their lives to protect those they love and trust but also how you can't always trust those around you.

People can become consumed in what is wrong and lose all aspects of the right, moral thing to do. Shockingly, brilliant and quite genius. Thanks to Miller's words and Caroline Steinbeis awesome direction this was fantastic!

For tickets, info on cast members or anything in the Royal Exchange here's the link to the website.

http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/whats-on-and-tickets/the-crucible