The Crucible
Arthur Miller's drama of power & persecution
Scottish Ballet is set to bewitch us once again with the return of their award-winning production of The Crucible, after thrilling audiences in London and the USA.
The intense, visceral choreography in this edge-of-your-seat production unleashes the emotional force of Arthur Miller’s famous play about the 17th-century Salem witch trials. Tender, devastating duets are followed by intoxicating solos and wild, feverish ensemble numbers as the tight-knit village community unravels into chaos.
Choreographed by Helen Pickett, with stylish costumes, gothic lighting and a striking, modernist set designed by David Finn and Emma Kingsbury, the production is accompanied by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, performing Peter Salem’s haunting, immersive, electro-acoustic score.
With themes as resonant today as ever, Scottish Ballet’s The Crucible has been described as a ‘ballet for our times’ and is a masterclass in storytelling through dance.
Running time: The performance lasts approximately two hours including one 20-minute interval.
#SBCrucible
Tour Dates
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
17 April – 19 April 2025
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
1 May – 3 May 2025
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
22 May – 24 May 2025
‘fierce and stark, with storytelling as taut as a stretched bowspring’
The Independent
‘casts a powerful spell…this Crucible belongs in the international repertoire’
Financial Times
‘captures the claustrophobia and darkness of a community lost inside itself’
The Scotsman
Credits
Playwright
Arthur Miller
Choreography
Helen Pickett
Music
Peter Salem
Artistic Collaborator
James Bonas
Set & Costume Design
Emma Kingsbury
Set & Lighting Design
David Finn
Associate Lighting Design
Scott Bolman
Access
Audio Described Performances
In each venue we offer an Audio Described performance on a Saturday afternoon for people with visual impairments. These performances are preceded by a Touch Tour.
Access
Find out more about Scottish Ballet’s access offering from performances and films, to classes and visiting our building.
Synopsis
Act 1
Prologue
On the verge of womanhood, a girl imagines her future.
The Proctors’ house
The girl, Abigail, works for the family of Elizabeth and John Proctor and becomes entangled in a dangerous relationship.
Meeting House
The community of Salem join together in a service of devotion and fellowship, led by Reverend Samuel Parris.
Shadow Play
Abigail and her friends, including Parris’ daughter, Betty, play at the edge of the village.
Forest
The girls follow Tituba, Parris’ slave, into the forest. Abigail seeks a way to curse Elizabeth Proctor. As they dance, out of control, the girls are discovered by Reverend Parris. Betty collapses and is carried by her father to the Meeting House.
Meeting House
The community rallies. Reverend Hale, an expert in witchcraft, is summoned. In the process of trying to save Betty, a powerful force is unleashed in Salem as the girls begin to accuse people within the community of witchcraft.
Act 2
Meeting House — Witch trial
Events have progressed; as the community fragments, increasing numbers fall under suspicion. The Deputy Governor of Massachusetts, Danforth, leads the hearings.
The Proctors’ House
Abigail persuades the Proctors’ new servant, Mary, to store a poppet, a small doll made to look like Abigail herself, in the Proctors’ home. Unbeknownst to Mary, the poppet, stuck with a pin, serves as evidence of witchcraft. The authorities arrive with a search warrant, discover the poppet and accuse Elizabeth. Sure of her innocence, Elizabeth gives herself up for arrest so she may speak her truth in court.
Meeting House — Court
Given a choice between a confession or the noose, the prisoners holdfast to their truth. For Elizabeth and John Proctor, their private shame of John’s affair is made public and Abigail is exposed. However, in denying her husband’s affair, Elizabeth, unwittingly, condemns herself.
Outskirts of the Village
Unable to bear her humiliation, Abigail flees Salem.
Jail
As the day of reckoning dawns for the citizens of Salem, John Proctor faces a terrible choice, should he save his life or his name.
Gallery
Behind the scenes
Find out about the women of the Crucible
