A standout moment from Act I — the Shadow Play scene offers a moment of haunting visual relief. Image supplied by Aberdeen Perfoming Arts | Image credit - Andy Ross
Scotland's national dance company, Scottish Ballet, returned to the His Majesty's Theatre stage last night with their award-winning production of The Crucible and it was a privilege to see this remarkable piece of work performed in our city.
Created in 2019 as part of their Five in Five campaign to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary it premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2019 and has since gone on to enthral audiences across the globe.
Based on Arthur Miller’s famous play about the 17th-century Salem witch trials the choreography and dance performances will quite literally have you on the edge of your seat. Seductive, hypnotic, menacing and intense the solos, duets and ensemble pieces performed all play their part in bringing the story to life in an almost hypnotic way and make this ballet a mesmerising masterpiece.
Set in the strict community of Salem, Massachusetts, Abigail (Kayla-Maree Tarantolo) a maid in the house of John Proctor (Bruno Micchiardi) and his wife Elizabeth Proctor (Jessica Fyfe) becomes entangled in a relationship with the husband. The intensely powerful performances of the dancers allow the story to unfold which results in curses being created and the community becoming inveigled by the strong arm of religion.
A chilling moment of power and submission, as townsfolk kneel before a stern authority figure in Scottish Ballet’s haunting adaptation of The Crucible. Image supplied by Aberdeen Perfoming Arts | Image credit - Andy Ross
For me Helen Pickett's contemporary choreography is the star of the show allowing all the dancers to take you on a journey through the darkest depths of humanity. The story is powerfully portrayed by the entire company and the orchestra deliver Peter Salem's haunting musical score in perfect harmony.
The costumes, monochrome stark set and clever use of lighting all help to transport the audience into the tight-knit and seemingly straight laced 17th century community where rumours of witchcraft spread like wildfire with the accused hunted down and answerable for their practices.
There are many stand out pieces in both acts, personally I loved the light relief of the Shadow Play scene in Act 1 and the dramatic opening to Act 2 in the Meeting House.
The Meeting House erupts in intensity as Act II begins with a powerful display of collective unrest. Image supplied by Aberdeen Perfoming Arts | Image credit - Andy Ross
This is a deeply intense, dramatic and moving reinvention of the classic play. It’s themes of illicit sexuality, fear of the supernatural, and forceful religious manipulation are a combination not unfamiliar to the world in current times which is slightly chilling.
All of the company's dancers are to be commended for captivating the audience with their performances. This is story telling through the power of dance at its absolute best and not to be missed.
It runs at His Majesty’s Theatre until Saturday, April 19. You can find tickets and info here.
Reviewed by Shona Byrne