The Crucible starring Richard Armitage at the Old Vic Theatre : LOCAL LOVES

Ah chaps I saw a BRILLIANT play last week – Arthur Miller’s The Crucible at the Old Vic. It was a seriously amazing evening and if you’re a theatre fan then this is a production that you really should see.

At three hours and forty minutes long it is quite a marathon but it’s such high quality that I personally welcomed the lengthy session in my seat! The Crucible is a real favourite of mine – I studied it at school in both my English classes and also in Drama, and also religiously (ooo interesting word choice...) watched and re-watched the film starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Rider. So it’s fair to say I know it inside out. 

Set in 1692 in Massachusetts, The Crucible depicts the famous witch trials that took place in Salem. Led by Abigail Williams, a group of young girls are caught dancing naked in the woods and performing ‘magic’. Dancing is considered punishable in this town, let alone performing magic. To cover their actions they say they were forced to by Barbadian slave Tituba and that they spoke with the devil. They accuse members of the community of being in the presence of the devil, thus naming them witches or wizards. Those accused are brought to trial and if they do not admit their so-called sins they are sentenced to hanging.

Amongst those accused is Elizabeth Proctor, wife of John Proctor who has slept with Abigail Williams in the past. Abigail hopes to have Elizabeth hanged so that she can pursue John.

So there’s a lot of lives at stake, reputations to be tarnished and accusations falsely made with disastrous consequences. 

John Proctor is played by the wonderful Richard Armitage, who recently starred in The Hobbit and Robin Hood, and also happens to be rather gorgeous. Proctor is a seriously meaty part and one that it seems Richard is revelling in playing – check out what he has to say about it in this video. 

Richard Armitage as John Proctor

Abigail is played by newcomer Samantha Colley in her professional stage debut – she has such power in her performance, she really captures the strength and danger of Abigail, and at times seems truly possessed. 

Samantha Colley as Abigail Williams

And, for me, the role of Mary Warren seemed all the more significant in the Old Vic production. Often overlooked as a protagonist for the bolder Abigail, Mary’s attempt to tell the truth is pivotal in the explosion of activity that brings the play thundering to it’s conclusion. Natalie Gavin takes on the role with great precision and emotional awareness. An honest and wonderful performance.

And all of this astounding acting and action is accompanied beautifully by Richard Hammarton’s haunting soundscape, a constant reminder of the suspense and risk in the melting pot that Salem has become.

It’s thrilling, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching and ridiculously brilliant. There was barely a dry eye in the house. Get tickets here and experience it for yourself.

xXx

Skylight, Bill Nighy & Carey Mulligan at Wyndham's Theatre : LOCAL LOVES

I saw Skylight starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan last night and it was WONDERFUL. I’ve been walking past the theatre for weeks, gazing at the posters and dreaming of getting a ticket so I was absolutely over the moon when a little email pinged up in my inbox inviting me along!
 

 
Skylight centres around Kyra and Tom – a young woman and older man – who brought an end to their six year affair after Tom’s wife discovered their illicit relationship. The play joins them three years after this, in which time Tom’s wife has died of cancer without giving him the forgiveness he so craved and Kyra has dispassionately removed herself from the situation.

In Kyra’s cold London council flat in late December, Tom and Kyra reminisce, flirt, argue, shout and throw. It’s thrilling to see them slipping back into their old and familiar relationship while past tensions quickly rise to the surface. 

Bill and Carey are utterly convincing in their roles – Carey has a maturity to her performance (I think it’s that amazing voice of hers) that makes the age gap completely plausible. And there’s a youthfulness to Bill’s portrayal of Tom's desire for forgiveness and poorly concealed feelings of ownership.

The show is directed by powerhouse director Stephen Daldry, who recently directed Helen Mirren in The Audience and also created the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony with Danny Boyle. Yeah, pretty big-time hey?!

Skylight is one of those shows that feels like a pure master class in acting. Bill and Carey act their socks off and I suggest you find a way of getting a ticket. 

Tickets...

It’s on until 23rd August 2014 at the Wyndham’s Theatre by Leicester Square/Covent Garden. There is the odd ticket left still and they can be booked here.  Or alternatively you can queue very early in the morning on the day you’d like to see the show and try and get Day Seats at 10am – these are a bargain at £15 and usually on the front row of the Stalls so well worth the early rise!

Or, if your can’t get yourself down to the box office, there is an NT Live broadcast of the show on 17th July. That’s right - an actual live performance will be played in lots of cinemas in London! All the info is here.  There’s been a fair bit of controversy surrounding NT Live broadcasts as some people believe it discourages people from physically going to the theatre as they can see a show on the cheap at their local cinema. Personally I disagree – I think it’s the perfect way for people to access what they usually couldn’t, then tempt them into the theatre to see the real deal. What do you think?

So yes, there you have it gang, another bloody good play is on in fair London town. Get yourself along and witness the wonder.

Have any of you seen it already? I’d love to know your thoughts!

xXx