St Edmund's
A Spectacular Opening Night for The Crucible
St Edmund’s School opened its 2025 senior production, The Crucible, to a full and highly engaged audience last night, marking an impressive debut for Director of Drama Dan Stanley.
In his programme introduction, Mr Stanley reflected on his vision for his first production as Director of Drama:
“I wanted to find a play of historical significance that still resonates with audiences today, whilst also challenging our wonderfully talented cast to create truthful and meaningful performances. In our world of social media, identity and global politics, we must ask ourselves—have we really learned much through history, and where and how do we draw the line of truth?”
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, with its exploration of hysteria, integrity, identity, and social pressure, proved the perfect choice. The production boldly draws parallels between the 17th-century Salem witch trials and the McCarthy era in which Miller wrote, while situating its themes firmly in a 21st-century context. Through stylised staging and inventive visual design, the St Edmund’s cast and crew offered a contemporary lens on a timeless story.
The performance showcased exceptional acting depth from the senior cast, whose nuanced portrayals handled the emotional intensity and moral complexity of the script with maturity and skill. The collapsing world of Salem—echoed through set, sound, and lighting—served as a striking metaphor for the pressures and influences shaping society today.
Behind the scenes, the production was a true community effort. Mr Stanley expressed heartfelt thanks to the maintenance team for their craftsmanship in realising an ambitious set, and to backstage leads Tam and Ellie for their painstakingly hand-crafted, historically accurate costumes. Special thanks are also due to Aimee Walker-Reid, whose co-direction alongside Mr Stanley was instrumental in shaping the vision and bringing The Crucible to life.
“I am incredibly grateful to all those involved,” he said. “From our fantastically talented cast to the Drama Department colleagues who have kept me wonderfully supported through this challenging first term.”
There are now just two performances remaining, with only a limited number of seats still available. We encourage early booking to avoid missing out on this powerful and thought-provoking production.
Performances continue in the Theatre this week.
