We round up the reviews for the first modern classic play to be staged at The Globe, directed by Ola Ince.
WhatsOnStage: **** “Sometimes a director should be commended for their restraint as much as for their bold interventions. Ince lets Miller’s text do the heavy lifting, with a blistering courtroom scene gripping in all the right ways, while the noble demise of John Proctor is suitably climactic.”
The Guardian: *** “It is a shame the pace slows to such a degree (performed at three hours on press night). Even so, discretely powerful scenes go some way to bringing the tension back, and as the first Miller play to be staged at the Globe it is a powerfully pertinent choice.”
London Theatre.co.uk: **** “In the hands of director Ola Ince, the play retains its 1692 date stamp, and while by-the-book references to Salem, Massachusetts suggest it hasn’t literally jumped location, the flurry of rural English accents on stage are a reminder that witch trials are a smear on our own British history, too.”
The Reviews Hub: **** “Ince’s atmospheric direction breathes new life into this classic, supported by a brilliant cast, while the decision to anglicise it is successful. We live in times where accusations based upon beliefs are growing day by day, and the terrifying consequences of such a hysterical, tense society, laid bare so clearly in this engaging and evocative piece, are a stark warning to us all.”
Everything Theatre: **** “This is a powerful and impressively lucid Crucible, one that makes full use of its unique surroundings while never losing sight of the human cost at the heart of Miller’s play.”
The Standard: *** “Steve Furst and Jo Stone-Fewings are enjoyable as the two reverends, Parris and Hale; the former pumped up by the chance to capitalise on a scandal that originated under his roof (Abigail is his niece); the latter’s smug early conviction slowly torn to shreds. Joanne Howard and Howard Ward are also good as Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey, respectively the embodiments of the village’s moral core and its truculent, nonconformist tendency. Gareth Snook, however, turns the prosecutor Danforth into a panto villain, reminiscent of Vincent Price’s Witchfinder General. A good Crucible, but not a great one.”
The Stage: ** “Unconvincing production of Arthur Miller’s witch-trials drama at Shakespeare’s Globe.”
All That Dazzles: **** “Facing a three-hour stint either standing or perched on the benches of the Globe Theatre is undoubtedly rewarded by the sheer electricity of the performance – Gavin Drea’s performance in particular is one that I will not forget anytime soon.”
The Arts Desk: **** “Ince’s fidelity to the language allows every nuance to be exposed.”
Theatre & Tonic: **** “Although it is a modern classic, The Crucible is a perfect fit for Shakespeare’s Globe – its subject matter, although based on events from the 17th Century, still has a lot to say in a modern world where the spread of misinformation is seemingly at an all time high. It’s a powerful and thought provoking production that still manages to be very entertaining thanks to its excellent pace, clear character development and a surprising use of humour to balance the more serious subject matter.”
North West End UK: **** “This performance is not just a retelling of a historical event—it is a cautionary tale that still speaks loudly today. Powerful, immersive, and beautifully acted, this Globe production is an unforgettable experience that should not be missed.”
British Theatre Guide: “This Crucible is always an interesting performance from a solid cast delivering a well-paced, respectful production. It takes no wild adventures into spectacle.”
The Crucible continues to play at the Shakespeare’s Globe until the 12th July.