THE CRUCIBLE - FISHER YOUTH THEATRE GROUP

FISHER THEATRE, BUNGAY

Last Friday night’s performance of The Crucible was astounding. The company could have taken the production to any professional theatre in the country. This is incredible considering no actor was above the age of 17.

Given the complexity of the text it is testament to the level of talent across the board that an intimate, chilling experience was created from the off.

Those actors who carried the weight of the story demonstrated terrific emotional range, and had clear chemistry between them. Notably Aidan Rockey as Reverend Parris was captivating, Eleanor Kay as Abigail, Charlotte Knapp and Ollie Derham as the Proctors, and Oscar Casbourne as Giles Cory, were equally engaging and professional. All other principal actors were fantastic.

The exceptional direction by Laila Choat and Darren France ensured the whole company gelled and delivered exciting, adult performances.

Staging the production in traverse, with the audience on either side, and the use of simple low-hanging candles allowed the audience to feel as though they were in seventeenth century New England ourselves.

REBECCA BOOTH

ACTRESS AND TEACHER