He is respected and, perhaps more important than that, he respects himself, which is why he carries a heavy burden of guilt for his failings and why he cannot countenance yielding to those who urge him to lie to save his life – his good name is of greater value.īrian Molloy (Rev. He is known to be a man who has no time for hypocrisy.

In the town, John Proctor’s name is associated with honour and integrity. His ending of the affair with the young girl (which happens before the play begins) and Abigail’s jealousy and resentment of his wife, Elizabeth, sets her plotting the witch hysteria which spirals out of control. The events that drive relentlessly and ruthlessly to the tragic conclusion are triggered by the fact that, in the vernacular of the time, he has ‘known’ Abigail Williams. He is an honest, upright citizen of the town of Salem, who works hard, speaks his mind, but as with all such characters, is not without his flaws. John Proctor could be described as the tragic hero of this play.

In that sense not much has changed since 1692 when they hanged what they called witches in the small Massachusetts village of Salem - and every era has its 'witches'. Whether it is fighting an 'axis of evil' or just plain gluttonous greed, paranoia or power with an axe to grind, in parts of the world, some still swing for what they say as much as what they do. The story about 'witchery' and how a small community responded 300 years ago can seem remote and alien until its modern relevance is realised. The play, which is based on the Salem Massachusetts witch trials of 1692, is a large ensemble piece in four acts. After the final piece of the set was dismantled, the props were removed, the lights and their cables were packed away and the stage was returned to a bare space once again, the team involved in putting it all together reflected on a very successful show - one that filled the theatre and thrilled audiences throughout its short run. The curtain closed on the final performance of 'The Crucible' on Saturday 29 March 2014. 'The Crucible', written by Arthur Miller around the middle of the twentieth century is a big, classic play - a story rooted in a time long past, but with echoes that touch upon issues that have a perennial relevance.

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