There are plays, and there are plays, and then there’s Arthur Miller masterpiece, THE CRUCIBLE.

In Sydney theatrical parlance there is always room to talk about one of the Sydney Theatre Company’s (STC) finest productions, the late, great Richard Wherrett’s production,  (Wherrett was the founding Artistic Director of STC and there is a studio space named after him at the Roslyn Packer Theatre), of THE CRUCIBLE starring a young and thunderous John Howard as John Proctor.

Now we have the chance to see what the the Royal National Theatre in London can do with this masterpiece via the National Theatre Live screening program.

A witch hunt is beginning. Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. As a climate of fear, vendetta, and accusation spreads through the community, no one is safe from trial. The young women’s hysteria  leaves Salem in chaos and town favourite John Proctor’s life in the balance.

KEY CAST: Erin Doherty as Abigail Williams, Brendan Cowell as John Proctor, Nick Fletcher as Reverend Parris, Fisayo Akinade as Reverend Hale, Rachelle Diedericks as Mary Warren, and Eileen Walsh as Elizabeth Proctor.

RUNNING TIME: approx. 170 minutes.

The  film opens in cinemas on the 4th March for a strictly limited season for a strictly limited time.

Courtesy of Sharmill Films, there is an advance screening of the film at the Dendy Newtown on Tuesday 21 February at 6.30pm. which Sydney Arts Guide has five double passes to give away to. Email the Editor on editor.sydneyartsguide@gmail.com with THE CRUCIBLE PROMOTION in the subject heading. In the body of your email write you find is most disturbing about the film and whether it sill has relevance in today’s world.