Arthur Miller
The Crucible
Regie: Janusz Kica
Summary
American writer Arthur Miller (1915 – 2005) is regarded as one of the most acclaimed playwrights of the 20th century and one of the main pillars of modern American theatre. He became world-wide famous with his play Death of a Salesman. However, one of his most controversial, yet the most celebrated works became The Crucible of 1953 that has remained as one of the most frequently staged works of the modern American drama. Even though the setting of Miller’s The Crucible displays its authentic historical features, the story itself strikes us as exceptionally contemporary, as it unfolds universally operating mechanisms in scope of politically motivated show trials, as well as the full-blown effect of ideological fundamentalism. In this sense, Arthur Miller holds the title of a perpetual classicist, as he discloses universally acknowledged truth, how the society changes on the outside, and yet it still remains the same in its core (namely, in regards to its basic operating principles), which is inherent to human nature.
On account of Miller’s play The Crucible, the vernacular expression "witch hunt” transcended into general use, especially in the 1950s, when Joseph McCarthy’s controversial anti-Communist campaign took placea dark turn in dividing American society. The expression was to designate all sorts of show trials, whose sole purpose was to eliminate "aliens” and all potentially dangerous members of society (usually via employment of fabricated pieces of "evidence”). The plot of The Crucible is based on actual events that happened in 1692 in Salem, when the Puritans, or, rather, Christian fanatics, charged twenty women and men with witchcraft and hanged them.
To this date, rReligious fundamentalism persists asis to this date one of the most dangerous afflictions, which can takes a specifically horrendous turn s when emerging in confined and rigid authoritarian systems, such as is Salem in Miller’s play. Fear and uncertainty are undoubtedly two examples of highly propelling fuels for all totalitarianisms. In turn, Miller’s play is an accurate psychogram of society that plunges into a state of utter paranoia and hysteria, resulting in total disintegration of community and, ultimately, in a "war of all against all”. Suddenly, no one trusts a single person anymore, and everyone is subjected to suspicion. In this kind of setting, opportunities for revenge and personal gain take place. Moreover, Miller points out quite clearly, what are the implications of abuse of religion, or, abuse of politics for personal interest and gain, as in the case of Putnam, the farmer, who is eager to get hold of the estates of the executed victims; or in case of a teenager Abigail, a teenage girl, who is determined to become Proctor’s wife. As a proficient playwright, Miller underscores idealistic aspirations of his protagonists by depicting their deeply instinctive emotional states (fear, sexuality, greed, etc.) that become fully embodied in Miller’s brilliant writing, which conjures up truly horrifying personal traits of naivety, ignorance, superstition, stupidity and malice with all their corresponding societal and emotional devastation.
Besetzung
Kristijan OstanekDavor Herga
Branko Jordan
Vladimir Vlaškalić
Miloš Battelino
Nejc Ropret
Aleš Valič k. g.
Eva Kraš
Mateja Pucko
Ana Urbanc
Liza Marijina
Minca Lorenci
Lea Cok
Eva Stražar
Gaja Filač
Doroteja Nadrah
Vesna Kuzmić
Fotogalerie
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
Foto: Damjan Švarc
