Heading to London after wowing audiences over in the United States, John Proctor is the Villain offers a different perspective on Arthur Miller’s The Crucible from a 2018 classroom in Georgia.
Mr Smith is a keen, slightly goofy teacher who inspires his class – Beth, Raelynn, Ivy, Nell, Lee and Mason. In Kimberly Belflower’s story he has to wrangle with the usual problems his teenage class have around young love, sex and gossip.
These are 16-year-olds being raised under Appalachian Christianity, which values chastity, Bible study, traditional female roles, and status in the community. Without spoiling the story, The Crucible casts rather a large shadow over this community of girls as we watch them explore their growing understanding of the world through their literature class and feminist club.
There are six women and three men in John Proctor is the Villain. In class, the Proctor of The Crucible is framed as one of the great American dramatic heroes, a man who is falsely accused and whose reputation is all he can claim back. When Shelby, a student who has taken a break from school, returns, she is the most vocal in exploring the motivations and actions of the girls in Miller’s play.
There are some excellent performances from the young cast, with the two male students being played by actors in their professional debuts. Complex themes and dialogue thread through a play that never flags and always keeps the audience on its toes. In this classroom, and this town, attitudes can shift quickly.
Bright, vital and enchanting, John Proctor is the Villain tackles difficult themes and situations with cautious humour, running at a breakneck speed across 1 hour and 45 minutes. It leaves us guessing and leads us down various paths before presenting a gut punch.
Female friendships, sisterhood bonds, and the roles of religion, tradition, and even racism impact on the play. It’s a cathartic and compelling piece of work, all but one scene set in that one classroom.
Beth (Holly Howden Gilchrist) is a traditional Christian girl, somewhat naive and enthusiastic. Raelynn (Maya James) is more realistic about sex and relationships, and a rift has developed between her and former best friend Shelby (Sadie Soverall).
Nell (Lauryn Ajufo) is relatively new to town, having moved from Atlanta, where things are done differently. Ivy (Clara Hughes) is from a background of privilege and standing in the community. The boys, the over-confident Lee (Charlie Borg) and the nice but lazy Mason (Reece Braddock), are in the background.
Mr Smith (Dónal Finn) and Miss Gallagher (Molly McFadden) are the only teachers we see – he’s in his 30s, she is only a few years older than the girls she has to guide and advise. Their dynamic is an interesting, evolving one.
John Proctor is the Villain is one of those plays that begs to be watched more than once to capture all the nuances of the text and staging. Director Danya Taymor and sceneographer AMP ft Teresa L Williams have created an environment that feels authentic, full of posters, mantras and furniture (including soft toys).
With no weak links in casting, and an ending that had people on their feet, John Proctor is the Villain not only recontextualises The Crucible but holds up a mirror to the modern world and asks ‘who can be believed?’ It tells girls you are seen, and you matter.
I’m giving this 5 stars.
John Proctor is the Villain continues at the Royal Court until 25 Apr. Although the run is sold out you can check for returns or rush tickets on Today Tix.
Photo credit: Camilla Greenwell