Tom Allen as John Proctor, with other cast members

Excellent! Any lesser accolade would not do justice to the College's superb performance over three nights of Arthur Miller's play. The play set in Salem, a newly established Puritan settlement in Massachusetts, in 1692, is a harrowing tale of how a community is unsettled and pure consciences are abandoned in the frenzy of claims of witchcraft. For 'The Crucible' to be convincing it has to be performed to the highest order. The pupils of the College, who made up the entire cast, achieved this. The set dramatically emphasised the simple, puritanical context of the play whilst the lighting added the atmospheric touch.

The Rev. Parris (Alex Wallwork) questions Tituba (Charushila Lahiri)

The cast of twenty handled their testing lines with the skill of much more experienced thespians, despite a number of them being struck down with illness leading to the performances being delayed by one week. Alex Wallwork was convincing as Reverend Parris, Lara Fisher compelling as Abigail Williams and James Robertson, as Deputy-Governor Danforth epitomised the dangers of destructive power in one pair of hands. Other accomplished performances from Arabella Rowe, Tom Constable, Will Bain and the remainder of the cast supported Tom Allen in the lead role of John Proctor. An upright member of the community, John Proctor was unwilling to be involved in the 'game' with others even though his integrity led him to the gallows. Tom Allen played the part to perfection and was totally believable as he debated, argued and finally held to his belief in the difference between right and wrong.

The play was the first at Malvern directed by the College's new Director of Drama, Neil Smith. The high reputation of drama at Malvern College is certainly safe in his hands.


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