Teatro São João

The Crucible

by Arthur Miller
directed by Nuno Cardoso

The Crucible

Description

The Crucible was an act of desperation.” Thus the playwright Arthur Miller describes the genesis of this play, which is based on historical facts. In 1692, in the small American city of Salem, men and women are persecuted and put in trial for witchcraft. Rumours and lies are aflame, and no one seems safe from accusation or revenge. Premiered in 1953, The Crucible was conceived as an allegory of the darkness of McCarthyism, which corroded the heart of America. Miller was also a victim of that anti-communist fever. Out of its epicentre – a primeval fascination with paranoia, a collective rage that demands the sacrifice of individuals – multiple echoes resound today. With this play, Nuno Cardoso continues his inquiry into the foundations of community life, a new study of social man’s blindness. Miller again: “Below its concerns with justice the play evokes a lethal brew of illicit sexuality, fear of the supernatural, and political manipulation.”

Credits

by Arthur Miller directed by Nuno Cardoso

translated by Fernando Villas-Boas set design F. Ribeiro lighting design Nuno Meira music and sound design João Oliveira video Luís Porto movement Roldy Harrys costumes TNSJ direction assistance Pedro Nunes

cast Ana Brandão, Carolina Amaral, Joana Carvalho, Jorge Mota, Lisa Reis, Mário Santos, Nuno Nunes, Paulo Freixinho, Patrícia Queirós, Pedro Frias, Sérgio Sá Cunha

produced by Teatro Nacional São João

playing time 2:35 with intermission Ages 12 and up


Show in Portuguese, English subtitles

Portuguese Sign Language + Post-show talk 19 Mar

Audio description 2 Apr