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The Crucible: Round Table Discussion

Peter Reynolds, the creative director of Stagework, organized a round table discussion with four of the younger actors in The Crucible company: Sara Beharrel, who plays Mary Warren, John Flitcroft, who plays Ezekiel Cheever, Maria Golledge, who plays Susanna Walcott and Julian Protheroe, who plays Marshall Herrick. The idea was to get the actors to talk informally about the play and its relevance to young people today, and the experience of being on tour. The discussion was held at the New Theatre in Cardiff, the last theatre on The Crucible tour, a few days before the production’s closing performance.

To view the round table discussion, click on the video links to the right. You can view the discussion in sequence, or navigate straightaway to a topic that interests you.

 
1. What were the digs like on tour?
 
2. Did changing theatres affect the actors’ performances?
 
3. Did the actors’ performances change over the course of the touring?
 
4. Did the play as a whole change from the performances in Birmingham to the end of the tour?
 
5. What are the weaknesses of the play?
 
6. Does the play ever seem old?
 
7. What is the play really about?
 
8. What is the play saying to young people?
 
9. The actors discuss the character of Abigail.
 
10. The actors talk about how male and female characters are portrayed in the play.
 
11. What would you have done differently as an actor if you could start from scratch again?
 
12. How would you restage the play if you could? Would it work in a different context?
 
13. Did the casting work? How could the play have been cast differently?
 
14. What will you take away from the play? What single moment stands out?
 
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