Actors may have been exhausted after hours of rehearsals and run-throughs but it’s fair to say that Welling School’s production of Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ was a hit with audiences. The show was performed during the evenings of the 14th and 15th of March and included a Matinee for a selection of lucky students during school hours. The performance lasted around 110 minutes, including a 15 minute interval for drinks and snacks as well as the chance to donate to the school’s chosen charity of Macmillan, and gathered an impressive audience. The plot of the show followed the horrific Salem Witch Trails in Massachusetts, 1692 where ‘accusations of witchcraft turn neighbour against neighbour.’ The show was captivating and tense whilst also having moments of comedy as well as other themes. An intriguing plotline by itself, it has since received overwhelmingly positive reviews for its talented cast and brilliant portrayal.

I, along with fellow reporters, was able to get an interview with the director and co-director of the show, Rachel Cheesewright and Craig Cummings. When asked how fulfilling it was to direct a play and see the finished result, Rachel replied, ‘It was amazing. I think it’s easy to underestimate students in state schools but to be able to perform over two hours of Arthur Miller shows the professionalism and hard work of our amazing young actors.’ She also added that, on a scale of 1 to 10 on how well the play went, she’d give a 20, stating ‘I think it was the best production Welling School has ever produced!’ Finally, when asking co-director Craig Cummings if there was anything he would change about the final product, and after a lengthy pause of thinking, he replied ‘I would have changed the amount of set and stage managers but wouldn’t change the play.’

In previous years, Welling School have performed well-known names such as Grease, Hairspray and Our Country’s Good, but The Crucible has been labelled one of the most difficult plays the drama department have tackled. With the phenomenal outcome, it’s fair to say that both the staff and students are extremely dedicated and passionate about the piece’s they produce. With the success of The Crucible under their belts, Welling School are preparing for another production sometime next year with auditions being held toward the end of the current year. Some rumoured productions include High School Musical and School of Rock. Whilst some old faces to these productions may be spreading their wings to the horizon in the next chapter in their lives, there is still an abundance of promise from everyone willing to participate and I’m certain that both students and staff are already eagerly anticipating the upcoming addition to Welling School’s Drama production list.

Liam Malcolm, Welling School