Ultimately there is little of the first man left as he leaves behind his faith to encourage the accused to save what he believes is all they have left, their lives. But as he watches his seniors use the trials to satisfy their own political ends, Akinade embodies his anguish. Fisayo Akinade’s Reverend Hale appears irritatingly assured at the beginning, certain that his witch-hunting work is only for the benefit of the community. ‘The Crucible’ is traditionally performed with English accents, because it’s set in Massachusetts in 1692, and the characters are mostly English immigrants or their children. There are other noteworthy performances, Eileen Walsh’s Elizabeth is a perfectly anxious and yet steadfast balance. Get prepped for this exciting opening with our definitive guide to The Crucible.

His salt-of-the-earthiness (worker’s shirt and all) makes his internal wrestling and slow journey towards goodness less lofty, more flesh and blood. That was definitely the case when Ivo van Hove mounted his Broadway production in 2016, and now the National Theatre brings us their first major revival since 1990, directed by Lyndsey Turner and starring Erin Doherty, Brendan Cowell and Eileen Walsh. Brendan Cowell and Erin Doherty lead the cast as John Proctor and Abigail Williams in the Arthur Miller revival. It must be said the American accents do not work for everyone and are patchy in places but do a lot to bring the production down to earth, especially for Proctor.

As a climate of fear, vendetta and accusation spreads through the community, no one is safe from trial.

Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. His American accent separates him from the lofty almost Shakespearian Proctors of past versions. A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power with Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Brendan Cowell (Yerma). Brendan Cowell’s Proctor is distinctly human. Erin Doherty, Brendan Cowell, Eileen Walsh, Fisayo Akinade, Karl Johnson, Matthew Marsh.

Brendan cowell the crucible