The Crucible Tickets

A witch hunt is beginning in Salem. Will you be a part of it? Unlock the power of truth and book The Crucible tickets on TodayTix.

While Arthur Miller’s The Crucible play depicts the Salem witch trials, it’s also a reflection of 1950s society. When The Crucible was published in 1953, Senator Joseph McCarthy led investigations persecuting suspected communists — Miller was one of the dozens of blacklisted writers during the red scare.

In this urgent retelling of an American classic, Lyndsey Turner balances the hysteria of 17th-century witch trials with modern reactions to scapegoating. London Theatre praised Turner’s ability to “unleash the full power of this masterpiece… Turner wisely avoids any specific references, understanding that if you unleash the full dramatic power of Miller’s mighty work, it will encompass all of that and more.”

In Salem, Massachusetts, young women dance with Tituba, a black slave. But are they dancing with the devil? As soon as word breaks out, witchcraft accusations become commonplace in the small town. As court action unfolds, one thing is clear: to survive, you need power. But how can you become powerful?

Please note: Please arrive in plenty of time as latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. You may not bring food or drink purchased elsewhere.

Assisted Performances
Audio Described: 2pm - Saturday 22 July 2023 7pm - Monday 7 August 2023
Captioned: 7pm - Monday 31 July 2023
BSL Signed: 2pm – Saturday 29 July 2023

As you watch The Crucible in London, you’ll inevitably spot the parallels between 17th-century history and the hysteria of 1950s investigations. When women are called up to the stand for "suspected" witchcraft in the play, they say what people want others to hear, rather than staying true to themselves.

In 17th-century New England, communities were fearful of people behaving in unexplainable ways. Fast forward 250 years, and influential politicians instigated the Hollywood Blacklist: a roster of professionals believed to be Communists or sympathisers. Little changes in history.

Lyndsey Turner directed The Crucible at the National Theatre in summer 2022, picking up an Olivier Award nomination for Best Revival. The American drama now runs at the Gielgud Theatre with a new cast, led by Brian Gleeson and Caitlin FitzGerald as John and Elizabeth Proctor.

What to Watch For:

• Milly Alcock plays Abigail Williams. The House of the Dragon star is the latest Game of Thrones actress in a West End show. She follows Emilia Clarke in The Seagull, and Kit Harington in Henry V at the Donmar Warehouse.
• When The Crucible premiered in Brussels, Arthur Miller could not attend the opening night. Atthe time, the House of Un-American Activities Committee investigated Miller as he tried to renew his passport.
• Philosophist Jean-Paul Sartre adapted the story into a 1957 film.
• Salem is a suburb of Boston. The American coastal city was used for scenes in Hocus Pocus and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.