Written by Arthur Miller
Produced by National Theatre (2023)
Now streaming on National Theatre at Home
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ★★★★½ (4.5)
This review is published exclusively on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 1 Nov 2025.
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| Erin-Doherty--Brendan-Cowell--Rachelle-Diedericks--Credit-Johan-Persson |
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a disturbing, timeless and profoundly relevant play. Lyndsey Turner’s 2023 National Theatre production is gripping, intelligent and deeply unsettling.
Miller’s 1953 play, though set during the 1692 Salem witch trials, is an allegory for the anti-communist hysteria of McCarthyism in the 1950s. Its themes of fear, suspicion, and mob mentality still resonate alarmingly in today’s world of political polarisation and conspiracy-driven rhetoric.
A group of young girls, led by the sneering, manipulative Abigail Williams (Erin Doherty), are discovered dancing naked in the forest, summoning spirits. To deflect punishment, they accuse women—and eventually men—of witchcraft. Abigail’s motives turn personal when she targets Elizabeth Proctor (Eileen Walsh), wife of the man she desires, John Proctor (Brendan Cowell).
The town descends into chaos as hysteria grips the Puritan community. The religious, legal and governing bodies fuel the frenzy, condemning the innocent to hang. The escalating paranoia, wilful blindness, and pious cruelty are terrifying in their familiarity. One cannot help but see echoes of present-day America—the MAGA movement, the religious right, and the echo chambers of social media—where delusion and accusation override reason.
This is an exceptional ensemble. Brendan Cowell’s John Proctor is powerful, complex, and burdened by guilt over his affair with Abigail. His performance grows in stature as Proctor fights for truth and redemption. Erin Doherty is magnetic and menacing as Abigail, her false piety and vindictive passion chilling to watch. Eileen Walsh gives a tender, grounded portrayal of Elizabeth Proctor, her quiet dignity heartbreaking. Karl Johnson provides texture and humanity as the old farmer, Giles Corey, whose humour and integrity become casualties of the madness.
Es Devlin’s austere grey set, punctuated by muted colour and framed by Tim Lutkin’s shadowy lighting, conjures a world suffocated by fear and repression. Caroline Shaw’s eerie score heightens the tension, while Lyndsey Turner’s direction is taut, lucid, and unsparing.
Even knowing the tragic conclusion, we yearn for reason to prevail. But in Salem—as too often in our own world—the juggernaut of ignorance and injustice rolls on, destroying those brave enough to stand in its way.
Reviewed by Kate Herbert
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| Erin+Doherty +cast- Image Credit-Johan+Persson |
Brendan Cowell – John Proctor
Erin Doherty – Abigail Williams
Eileen Walsh – Elizabeth Proctor
Karl Johnson – Giles Corey
Fisayo Akinade – Reverend Marsh
Nick Fletcher – Reverend Parris
Rachelle Diedericks – Mary Warren
Matthew Marsh – Deputy Governor
Creative Team
Director – Lyndsey Turner
Set Designer – Es Devlin
Costume Designer – Catherine Fay
Lighting Designer – Tim Lutkin
Composer/Arranger – Caroline Shaw
Fight Director – Bret Yount
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