Highlight of the Week

Senior Cast Perform The Crucible

As the curtain falls on our production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, I am filled with pride and admiration for the incredible efforts of our cast and production team. This timeless play, set against the backdrop of the Salem witch trials, provided both a powerful challenge and a rewarding experience for everyone involved, and I am thrilled with how our talented performers brought it to life. From the outset, the play posed a significant challenge; its historical context, intense emotional stakes, and exploration of fear, power, and mass hysteria required a deep understanding of the material. But what impressed me most was how the pupils embraced these challenges with maturity, dedication, and passion. They not only captured the essence of their characters but also demonstrated the relevance of Miller’s work to our world today. The themes of injustice, social pressure, and the dangers of collective hysteria felt as urgent and real as ever. In fact, it was striking how our students intuitively connected these issues to current events, bringing a modern resonance to the play’s classic message.

The performance of Will H as John Proctor was particularly memorable, capturing the internal struggle and moral complexities of this tragic character, and his commitment to the role was an example to younger pupils. The portrayals of Elizabeth Proctor, Mary Warren, Judge Danforth, and Reverend Hale were noteworthy: Katy S as Elizabeth Proctor beautifully conveyed the subtle strength of the character as she navigated the complexities of loyalty, love, and moral integrity; Timea T-T as Mary Warren skillfully portrayed the character’s inner conflict and fear, and showed incredible emotional range; with his commanding presence, Joseph P captured the dangerous blend of authority, self-righteousness, and blind adherence to the law that defines Judge Danforth’s character; Sasha R contrasted this skillfully with his nuanced characterisation of Reverend Hale, cleverly capturing his internal struggle and transformation from confident witch-hunter to a man filled with guilt and remorse.

Abigail Williams, played by Grace B, was a force to be reckoned with, commanding the stage with her manipulative energy and chilling conviction. Along with the other girls, portrayed by Gwen MO (also Mercy Lewis), Maddie H (also Susanna Wollcott), Charlotte L, Ava M, Pippa A, Nina A and Brigitta S, the intensity of their reactions as they saw spirits was electrifying, drawing the audience into the hysteria and made the dangers of mass manipulation all the more terrifying. Equally impactful were the portrayals of the supporting characters. Patrick M as Reverend Parris captured the character’s self-serving paranoia and desperate attempts to protect his position, while Oliver P as Giles Corey brought a mix of humor and courage to the role, particularly during his memorable courtroom moments. Finn M and Mikael M as Francis Nurse, both with quiet dignity, provided a powerful counterpoint to the chaos around him, and Charlie M as Judge Hathorne confidently embodied the stubbornness and authority of the court’s role in perpetuating the trials.

The performances of the Putnams were also noteworthy; Billy R as Thomas Putnam displayed an unsettling sense of opportunism, while Libby B as Ann Putnam conveyed the character’s grief and desire for retribution. Brigitta S as Betty, caught in the middle of the hysteria, was both vulnerable and mysterious, adding to the tension that surrounded her illness. Bernadette M sensitively delivered Rebecca’s wisdom and moral clarity, providing a quiet but powerful voice of reason amidst the madness. Ezekiel Cheever, played by Jack G, brought a stern sense of duty to the role, while Adam S as John Willard stood out with his conflicted role in the trials, his reluctant participation adding to the growing moral tension. Tanya N as Tituba portrayed the character’s vulnerability and terror wonderfully as she became a scapegoat for the town’s mounting anxieties. Similarly, Emily H brought an unsettling mix of desperation and defiance to the roles of Martha Corey and Sarah Good, capturing how the mental state blurred the lines between truth and falsehood.

Equally impressive was the effort that went into creating this ambitious project. Lighting, set, sound, and costumes were all carefully crafted to transport our audience to another time, and I’m grateful for the hard work of our team backstage and front of house - a big thank you to Iris P, Amy H and Freya H, and to the staff and parents who supported this production.

As a director and drama teacher, I have the unique privilege to watch pupils grow in confidence and skill throughout the process. From our first rehearsal to opening night, I saw them challenge themselves, push boundaries, take risks, and support each other. This is a testament to the strength of our Drama department and school community. The Crucible was not just a theatrical achievement - it was a lesson in history, humanity, and the importance of standing up for truth, even in the face of overwhelming pressure. I am immensely proud of every single pupil involved, and as ever, I am excited to see what they will achieve in future productions.

Reflections from some of the cast... 

Timea T-T (Mary Warren) 

“When we first began rehearsals, I often struggled to portray the pure hysteria that my character, Mary Warren felt when she was accused as I have not experienced anything like it. But by imagining myself in her position, I was able to connect to her panic as she was facing death. Over time, it became a natural response for me. My favourite scene was definitely the one that we fondly nicknamed The Possession Scene. So much work went into it behind the scenes to make it immersive for the audience and feel cohesive in the chaos that ensued. 

Overall, I think it was one of the most challenging yet rewarding productions we have ever done!” 

Brigitta S (Betty) 

“The Crucible is my favourite play and I have been hoping to do it since last year. I had the best time watching it unfold throughout the performances. One of my favourite moments in the show is when the needle is found in the poppet. I wasn’t on stage, but the doll I made for the show was! I enjoy being in the productions because I get to spend time with people from different year groups who I wouldn’t normally talk to. My role in the first scene was mainly just lying motionless which was a challenge but my character was very important as Betty kickstarted the events of the play. This was an amazing experience!” 

Katy S (Elizabeth Proctor) 

“Being a part of the school play is always my favourite part of school life but this production of The Crucible was not only fun but also an incredible experience. With a script that is loved by so many and also so complicated, I truly wanted to do my character justice. An obstacle for me was the setting of the Salem Witch Trials, a society controlled by fear and theocracy which is so different to our contemporary world and therefore hard to present in a relevant but accurate way. I overcame this by focusing on the relationships between Elizabeth and the other characters as this was what motivated her and made her much more relatable to me and the audience. My favourite moment of the show was when Abigail and the other girls got "possessed" as it was such a chaotic and dynamic scene to watch. However, I loved being a part of the final moment where Elizabeth had to watch Proctor go to his death, as it was such an emotional scene and gave me the opportunity to stretch myself as an actor.”