Review of The Crucible by University of Northampton BA Actors at Jacksons Lane Theatre, Highgate, London

There is no denying that Arthur Miller's The Crucible is a classic and well-regarded play and that in the hands of the always brilliant University of Northampton BA Actors, it should have been a thrill of innovation and epic theatre. So, why, when there was so much talent, did it become just an uninspired, by the numbers production?

I had only seen the play, formed around the 1690s Salem Witch Trials, once before in a vibrant school production that, while clearly long and drawn out (it's a heck of a long play in this, it's pure form), always remained entertaining, especially being performed by that young and enthusiastic cast. Here in this version directed by Nadia Papachronopoulou, it should have been so, so good, with the actor's talent, the potential for a dramatic stage version crackling with inspired moments was so overwhelming.

So why did with end up with just a static, curiously soulless affair? In principle it does nothing wrong, performances are strong, with a confident one again from Alexander Forrester-Coles as John Proctor, the way he depicted the characters weaknesses especially comes across tremendously well. Elsewhere, Farrah Dark was a revelation as the bolshy and forthright Abigail Williams, a character having to act in a way far beyond her years.

D. B. Gallager was a truly scary Judge Danforth, causing a lot of uncomfortable moments as he proceeded over the affairs. In the complete opposite was the kindly, and sweet-natured Elizabeth Proctor, played with such a gentle touch that perhaps only Ceara Coveney could, in this year group of actors. Finally, I enjoyed Anya Gallagher's Mary Warren, a confused state of a character, wanting to be part of the gang, then not wanting to be, and switching back again in an attempt to recover the situation, only to make it worse. Warren is a great side character in the play, and I really enjoyed Gallagher's portrayal of her.

So, what was wrong with The Crucible then? Well, for me, it just lacked ambition, scenes are motionless, the way the witches are handled uninspired, and just so lacking in creative aspects, less so than the school production I saw even. In a group where we have had a female Richard II, the strongest Flash Festival of my five years, some innovative Christmas shows allowing the actors to develop more in different areas, and Accused, one of the best-devised shows I have seen, The Crucible in this form, gives them nothing to get their teeth into. They often felt unsure as well, with the most slips of dialogue that I have ever seen from a University show, and a few that I know to be excellent actors, giving poor performances.

There is no other way of putting it, other than I was really disappointed with The Crucible, and it's a tremendous shame that this was one part of the work of these actors on display in London, they are all much better than this show allowed them to be. Far too safe, and safe isn't something the University of Northampton BA Actors have ever done before in my experience.

Performance reviewed: Thursday 7th June 2018 at Jacksons Lane Theatre, Highgate, London

The Crucible was one of three shows performed at Jacksons Lane Theatre by the University Of Northampton BA (Hons) Actors from Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th June 2018.

Details of Jacksons Lane can be found by visiting their website at https://www.jacksonslane.org.uk/

Review of Friends - The Musical Parody at Milton Keynes Theatre

The One Where 2026 starts in a world of confusion. And so, 2026 is upon us and for my first trip to the theatre this year, one of my most significant reviewing challenges was to occur. Touring to Milton Keynes Theatre is Friends - The Musical Parody , based, unsurprisingly, on that little American show that ran to a few audience members for ten years. However, I confess that I was not, and have never been in that audience, never having seen a single episode of the show. However, always up for a review challenge and doing my due diligence by having a Friends superfan as my plus one, I headed to Milton Keynes with anticipation. For those unfamiliar with the show, I could say I can’t help; however, a quick review of some of the information you might need (thanks, Google and my plus one). Running for ten years between 1994 and 2004 with 236 episodes (quiz question, you are welcome), the main characters consisted of Phoebe (ditzy, writer of sad songs), Monica (in possession of an unfeasibly...

Review of 2:22 A Ghost Story at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

2:22 A Ghost Story continues an endless rise and run of success on the stage. This play by Danny Robins was first staged as recently as August 2021 at the Noel Coward Theatre and since then the show continued to run in London for two years, moving to four further London theatres, before eventually closing in the city to embark on this tour, which began in September last year. During these runs, the cast has constantly been updated with often populist actors, and some, which are not even associated with acting. As this reaches Royal & Derngate, now even the touring cast has been swept clean and four further performers take on the incredible success of a show. This is the second time I have seen 2:22 A Ghost Story , and it is safe to say that on that first viewing, with the previous tour cast, I was not as blown away by the play as the success seemed to warrant. The aforementioned populist casting seemed to have driven a so-so ghostly tale into success beyond its quality, and with th...

Review of Matthew Bourne's Romeo + Juliet at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

Despite now having seen a few dance shows encompassing many different styles, I had yet to see one developed by Sir Matthew Bourne, a controversial player in his time, but as the relatively recent knighthood suggests, now very much embraced by the establishment. So, does Romeo + Juliet live up to his name, that is the question? So, first, this might normally be where I give you a brief outline of the story, but, for one, most have a general understanding of the love disaster of William Shakespeare's play already, and two, as it turns out from the Bourne production, a huge amount of what you might be familiar with has gone or been dramatically changed anyway. There is shocking complicity in murders, there are different moments of murder and gone are the warring factions of the Montagues and Capulets. Characters themselves feel very different at times also, to such an extent that even knowing the play doesn't always make it clear who is who at times. So, if all that sounds...

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog