The Crucible

I saw The Crucible last night and felt reassured that Ben Whishaw is, without doubt, the best actor to come along in quite a while (and certainly the best of his generation). I felt like I was watching someone who, in the future, will be much-heralded as a leading actor of the ages.

I could rave on about how much I enjoyed the play as a whole (although Arthur Miller is not my favorite playwright, I will say that I’m a fan, particularly of this play). I saw Ivo van Hove’s A View from the Bridge in January and was mesmerized—I still think about it quite often. The Crucible is going to stick in my veins for a while, too.

I was sitting in the middle of the second row, orchestra, and had an excellent view of everyone. The entire cast is exceptional, but this is really John Proctor’s play and, so, Ben had plenty of time and ways to shine. I know some critics had reservations about Ben being a convincing farmer, but I never doubt his ability to inhabit any role—and he’s yet to give me a reason to do so. I’d seen Richard Armitage’s version of Proctor via Digital Theatre (no trips to England for me, unfortunately!), and was mesmerized. I would call myself an admirer of Mr. Armitage as well. But Ben Whishaw is something extra-special. And I wouldn’t even compare the two plays or performances—you can enjoy Ivo van Hove’s version all on its own merits.

Honestly, it’s yet another riveting performance by Mr. Whishaw. He is electric—I left feeling both energized and drained in all the best ways. I truly felt something—all good art should make the viewer feel that way. By the end of the final act, he was sobbing, tears and snot running down his face. He was a terrible beauty, indeed. He was fragile and delicate, violent and threatening all at once. Sitting so close, I was able to watch every tick, every eye flutter, every reaction to other characters’ remarks or movements even when it was not his time to speak. I don’t think he ever breaks character. I have to say, it was hard keeping my eyes off his performance even when he was slightly off to the side of the action and I should have been focusing on other characters! He just has that magnetic aura, you know? And (I hope this isn’t giving too much away) he sang at the finale!

The rest of the cast is an admirable, talented bunch and they work seamlessly together. It’s a large cast (around 20 characters, if I recall correctly), but van Hove’s notoriety for being precise and demanding of his actors paid off, because they all succeed in their portrayals. Saoirse Ronan and Ciarán Hinds don’t have quite as much stage-time as the others, but they make up for in quality of performance. Sophie Okonedo was tender, emotional, and complementary to Ben’s Proctor. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about these two playing opposite one another, but it works. You really get lost in the performances and just move along with the story and characters.

As a side note: when I first got to the theatre, before the show began, there were people in the row behind me chatting up a storm about Saoirse Ronan and then I heard someone say, “but who’s this ‘Ben’? Do you know who he was?” Silence. I was a little sad! But by the intermission, everyone was looking him up on their smart phones. So, I’m willing to be he’s made a heck of a lot more fans since the show began, and will make many more by the end of the run!

Oh, and according to the theatre security, none of the major actors have come out the stage door yet (aside from Saoirse Ronan—so, no Ciarán Hinds, Sophie Okonedo, or Ben). This may change once the show opens officially, but it’s in previews at the moment (the official premiere is March 31st, which is already sold-out). That was a little disappointing, but after three hours of performing such intense, draining drama (as well as some gritty physical changes in the finale), and after being in every Act of the play, Ben probably would need some time to himself before emerging!

So, if anyone has the chance to see The Crucible, I highly-endorse and recommend it.



"I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with."