'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller.

Transition year class Volta performed their class play 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller on Thursday March 28th in the Lecture theatre. The class, who studied this play in English class this year, had three performances with packed audiences who were all enthralled and engaged with this chilling play. This play was written in 1953 and describes the mass hysteria that spread through the small town of Salem in 1692 in the lead up to the Salem witch trials. Based on true people and events, the play revolves around the accused and the accusing and explores the power of false accusations on faith, relationships, the law and society. The town minister, Reverend Parris discovers his daughter Betty,his niece Abigail and other girls dancing in the forest. These girls then falsely accuse other villagers of witchcraft and Abigail Williams viciously persecutes Elizabeth Proctor as Abigail had an affair with Elizabeth's husband, John Proctor.

Arthur Miller's play draws a chilling parallel between the Salem witch hunt of 1692 and the McCarthyism which gripped America in the 1950's and the play still connects with audiences today. Volta's production was polished and intense and the convincing roles, chorus movement, costumes, lighting and music all brought this dark story to life in an intimate atmospheric setting in the school theatre. Congratulations to the cast and a special thanks to Elise Mc Dermott who was the music and lighting technician for this very special English class production.

N. Dowling.