Everyman Theatre

The Crucible is Everyman's November 2010 production.

Salem, Masachusetts, 1692. The setting for the true and infamous Witch Trials and the tragedy that occurred within the Calvinist community. After 8 months of terror the Salem witch trials ended, with 20 innocent people dead and land that nobody would touch for over 100 years.

Salem, a Calvinist community whose belief was Predestination – Election – Salvation – a belief that the fate of individual souls was predetermined by God. God had made up his mind from the start who would be saved, “the elect” and who would be damned, “the wicked.” They believed the history of the world followed God’s will.

The ‘Fear of God and the Consequences of Gods Wrath’ fuelled the imagination of the young children of Salem, who were the accusers of the people of Salem, indoctrinated by the relentless preachings and sermons.

‘Undutiful children become Horrid children. They pull down the Curse of God upon them, which the God of Heaven uses to take Vengeance on them. Undutiful children Fall into atrocious wickedness, their Flesh trembles with fear, A strange disaster will follow. A secret vengeance of God.'
- The Duties of Children to Their Parents, Colin Mather.

Salem, a viper's nest. A society of greed, covetousness, litigations and intolerance. Ownership of land, property and wealth an all-consuming obsession.

The witchcraft trials were not so much based on the Calvinist belief of God versus Satan but greed and the greed of one man in particular, the Rev. Samuel Parris, who was at loggerheads with the community he served. An ambitious man, not content with the house and stipend provided, he wanted ownership, gold candlesticks, more money. He brought added strife to the community he served. He himself was the recorder at the Witch Trials, personally condemning 19 people, people from whose death he would personally gain, by the acquisition of their land.

Salem, a community carved out of the forest, a land belonging to the Iroquois. A troubled community, full of fear and superstition.

The Crucible is a strong, powerful play, an actors’ play; each character plays a major role with wonderful scope for the individual actor and for the company to open the Autumn season.