Local amateur actors of all different ages will join forces next month to stage a new production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.
The Rose Theatre in Kingston will sweep aside the generational divide to showcase talent from The Rose Plus Players, the adult acting group, as well as their younger counterparts in the Rose Youth Theatre.
The production could hail the blossoming of a new mother and daughter partnership as14 year-old Hannah King dons her acting cap alongside her mum.
She is enthusiastic about this bloodline approach:
“Being in The Crucible with my mum is a bit different; sometimes it’s really embarrassing and other times it’s nice to have someone to learn your lines with and talk about the play to. We always look forward to rehearsals and are really excited about the performances.”
The critically acclaimed 1952 play is set in 17th Century America and tells the tale of the infamous Salem witch trials. It was written as an allegory of McCarthyism – a move by the US government to blacklist communists in the 50s. Miller himself was accused of un-American activities and this adds to the works personal and poignant texture.
It is studied in schools across the world and has become a central work in the canon of American theatre.
Ciaran McConville, Director of Learning and Participation at Rose Theatre Kingston said:
“I’m really looking forward to directing this classic play with both the Rose Plus Players and the Rose Youth Theatre. I’m as impressed by the wisdom of the children in Rose Youth Theatre as by the energy of the adults in the Rose Plus Players.”
The Crucible will be performed on Fri 6 – Sat 7 Apr 2012 at The Rose Theatre
Tickets are £10 and £5 for under 16s
Box Office: 08444 821 556 www.rosetheatrekingston.org (bkg fee)
