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A play which still features on many college English curriculums – Arthur Miller’s The Crucible – can be seen live at Centrestage Theatre in Orewa next month.
Centrestage has already received book bookings from two local colleges.
The cast of 20 range in age from 13 to 80 and the production is directed by actor and director Reg Williams, who says it has been a long held dream of his to stage what he describes as his favourite play and an all-time classic. His son Scott plays the role of Herrick in the play. Two cast members, Zoe Fowler and Josie Simmonds, are both students of Whangaparaoa College, with Josie playing Mary Warren, one of the lead roles.
Based on true events in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, it was written in the early 1950s to cast light on the anti-communist, Senator McCarthy-led ‘witch hunts’.
Themes such as the importance of reputation, and the power of false accusations have resonance today with issues such as social media bullying and shaming.
The story focuses on a farmer, his wife, and a young servant who maliciously causes the wife’s arrest for witchcraft. The farmer comes to court to get the girl to admit the lie – and it is here that the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit plays out.
The play is on from September 7-15 and bookings can be made at Centrestage Theatre, phone 426 7282 or www.centrestagetheatre.co.nz
Centrestage Theatre is embarking on a major refurbishment and to raise funds it is offering offering to put your name, your family or business name on one of its auditorium seats. Each plaque costs $250 and will remain in place for five years. This can be done on the theatre’s website, or for more information, phone the theatre managers, 426 7282.
