crucible

• Who wrote 'The Crucible'?

  Arthur Miller
• When was 'The Crucible' first produced?

  1953
• Why did Arthur Miller write 'The Crucible'?

  In response to the 'Communist witch-hunt' in the 1950s. Miller wanted to draw similarities between his life in the 1950s and the irrational trials in 1692
• What is Puritanism?


  A strict and conservative form of Christianity that originated in England in the early 1600s
• What were the Puritans like?

  Very religious (fundamentalist Christians)

  Insular

  Quarrelsome

  Modest
• Why did the Puritans become easily hysterical?

  Feared the Devil and God equally

  Had strictly religious standards and were intolerable of anything not accepted by their scripture
• State 4 link themes between the era of McCarthyism and the Salem witch trials

  Hysteria

  Ringleader

  Unjust persecution

  Strong personal beliefs
• State 7 other themes in 'The Crucible'

  Reputation

  Goodness

  Judgment

  Social Status

  Ownership and property

  Justice

  Consequences
• Give three vocal skills

  Tone

  Pitch

  Volume
• Give three physical skills

  Body language

  Movement

  Facial expression
• Give three things to do with stage direction and stage space


  Proxemics

  Levels

  Position on stage
• What is the purpose of costume?

  To establish a character, convey the context, and support the style of the play.
• What are the purposes of set design?

  To convey the historical period/physical location

  To set an atmosphere for the entire play/a particular scene

  To communicate symbols and/or themes
• What are the purposes of lighting?


  Defining different locations on stage

  Creating a mood or atmosphere

  Highlighting key moments of action

  Directing the audience's focus
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Proctor use in Act One?

  Closed body language (e.g. folded arms) when alone with Abigail. Suggests he is determined to remain in control.

  
  

  Upright posture, standing tall centre stage. Implies he is self-assured and confident in his beliefs.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Proctor use in Act One?

  Proctor may speak in an empathetic tone and slow pace. Shows his conviction and attempt to resist Abigail's advances.

  May speak in an authoritative tone to Putnam, again suggest he is self-confident.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Proctor use in Act Two?

  Smile warmly at Elizabeth. Suggests Proctor is trying to please her.

  
  

  Unsettled facial expression. Shows Proctor is uncomfortable in Hale's presence

  
  

  Frantic movements and gestures. Conveys his desperation to stop Elizabeth from being arrested.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Proctor use in Act Two?

  Casual tone at the start. Shows Proctor's relaxed mood as he sits down for dinner.

  
  

  Speaks at a slow pace and cautious tone to Hale. Shows Proctor is being careful of what he says.

  
  

  Loud volume and fast pace to express Proctor's anger at Elizabeth's arrest.
• What physical skills might an actress performing as Abigail use in Act One?

  Might shake her head and use an open mouth expression. Expresses her shock when Parris asks if she has performed witchcraft.

  
  

  Authoritative body language and a central stage position. Suggests she's a dominant figure (ringleader)
• What vocal skills might an actress performing as Abigail use in Act One?

  Could speak softly and at a higher pitch. Highlights Abigail's young age and makes her seem innocent.

  Slow pace and menacing tone to intimidate the other girls and make her sound threatening.
• What physical skills might an actress performing as Abigail use in Act Three?

  Serious facial expression whilst maintaining eye contact with judges to appear convincing.

  
  

  May remain still to reflect that Abigail is a calm and collected liar
• What vocal skills might an actress performing as Abigail use in Act Three?


  Inflection could be used to make Abigail's denial of the affair more convincing.

  
  

  Steady volume and slow pace to show she is self-assured.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Parris use in Act One?

  Exaggerated movements to draw the audience's attention to him, rather than Betty. Suggests he is self-centred.

  
  

  Parris "rushes to embrace" Betty when she wakes up, but an actor may withdraw just as quickly to shout the "prayer of thanksgiving." Adds to the audience's impression that Paris's main concern was always securing his reputation.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Parris use in Act One?

  Parris may speak in a nervous, hysterical tone when questioning Abigail on witchcraft. Conveys his concern for his reputation.

  
  

  May use a loud volume and fast pace when threatening to whip Tituba. Expresses his anger and vexation as he wishes to find out the truth.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Parris use in Act Three?

  May nod excitedly at the judges. Shows he is trying to encourage them or make decisions that will be in his favour.

  
  

  Close proxemics to Danforth when speaking to him. Suggests he thinks he had a close relationship with Danforth as they are high status men.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Parris use in Act Three?

  May speak to judges with a rising intonation. Suggests Parris believes the trial could work in his favour.

  
  

  Insulting, arrogant tone when speaking to Proctor or Mary. Suggests Parris is trying the undermine their argument.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Parris use in Act Four?

  May tremble with fear when telling Danforth someone planted a dagger at his door. Shows Parris fears for his life.

  
  

  Actor may sob into their hands when revealing Parris is "penniless." Shows Parris feels humiliated.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Parris use in Act Three?

  Nervous tone when speaking to Danforth about the riots. Conveys his concern that he'll get caught up in the protests.

  
  

  Stuttering, choked voice when speaking about the dagger and his poverty. Suggests Parris is deeply troubled and melancholic.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Hale use in Act One?

  Strong body language - upright posture with hands on his hips. Implies he is full of confidence.

  
  

  Serious facial expression. Suggests he is determined to rid Salem of witchcraft.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Hale use in Act One?

  Self-assured tone at a regular pace when speaking of witchcraft. Suggests Hale is a knowledgeable, intelligent character.

  
  

  Gentler tone and quieter volume when speaking to Rebecca Nurse. Conveys Hale's compassionate side.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Hale use in Act Two?

  Hale may frown or run a hand worriedly through his hair when hearing about Rebecca Nurse's arrest. Shows he is "deeply troubled" and how much the news has disturbed him.

  
  

  Inquisitive facial expression when interrogating Proctor. Shows his curiosity in the events in Salem.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Hale use in Act Two?

  Hale may speak at a soft pitch and steady volume to Francis Nurse. Conveys how he is trying to remain composed and reassure Francis about Rebecca's arrest.

  
  

  Curious or suspicious tone when questioning Proctor about his attendance to Church. Suggests he is doubtful of Proctor's character as a good Christian man.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Hale use in Act Three?

  An actor may increase the proxemics between Hale and the judges. Suggests Hale wishes to distance himself from the injustice of the court.

  
  

  Actor may use a furious facial expression when Hale storms out of the courtroom and "slams the door." Emphasises his extreme anger.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Hale use in Act Three?

  Actor's vocal delivery might become steadily louder, stronger, and more agitated. Highlights Hale's growing frustration that innocent people are being accused.

  
  

  Regretful/ Frustrated tone when he says he "quits this court." Conveys his disappointment and anger regarding the blind faith he put into the girls.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Danforth use in Act Three?

  Upright posture, shoulders back, standing centre stage. Would make the actor appear taller and more imposing, conveying Danforth's authority.

  
  

  May maintain eye contact and nod whilst the girls are speaking. Suggests Danforth is a gullible character who is taken in by their lies.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Danforth use in Act Three?

  Loud volume and animated tone. Suggests Danforth is asserting his authority.

  
  

  May interrupt other actors in a superior tone. Shows Danforth thinks he's more knowledgeable than them, thus portraying him as arrogant.
• What physical skills might an actor performing as Danforth use in Act Four?

  Danforth may use a wide-eyed facial expression when Parris tells him that Abigail has run away. Reflects his surprise that he let himself be deceived by the girls.

  
  

  Actor may grit his teeth and use violent gestures when taking out his enter on Parris. Expresses Danforth's frustration.
• What vocal skills might an actor performing as Danforth use in Act Four?

  Loud volume and angry tone when calling Parris a "brainless man". Shows his frustration.

  
  

  Actor may use a monotonous voice as Proctor is taken away to be hung. Lack of tone communicates how cold, unemotional, and unaffected Danforth is by his decision.
• How might a naturalistic set design use authentic materials (such as wood and stone) to reinforce a setting?


  Wood could have a coarse texture to make the settings feel more rustic.

  
  

  Walls of the prison cell in Act Four for example, may look like rough stone and have straw scattered on the floor. This emphasises the oppressive, claustrophobic nature of the prison.
• How might a naturalistic set design use colour to reinforce a setting?

  Colours if the set may be dull and muted. This would reflect the serious and conservative Puritan lifestyle of 17th century Salem.