UJ Theatre presents ‘The Crucible’

The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Arts Theatre is set to present a stage production of The Crucible from 16 April. Celebrity actors Neels Claasen, Cindy Swanepoel, Jacques Bessenger, Chan Marti and Lebohang Motaung have been cast to play the leads in UJ’s upcoming production.

Under the direction of Alby Michaels, these performers will lead an ensemble cast of UJ performing art alumni and student novices. “The play itself is not squarely based in realism, instead we have opted for representing a version that becomes surrealistic at times. Additionally, each of the lead actors have two parts to play in the production – each representing the dual sides of good and bad. The heart of the play is centered around the duality of life. We hope that this production will make people fall in love with this classic all over again,” he said.

Michaels was very pleased with the opportunity to take direction of such a talented ensemble of actors. “I am very humbled to be part of this production. I really respect each of my cast members’ abilities in their respective roles I believe that we’ve set out to present a superior production,” he said.

Award-winning playwright Ashraf Johaardien has also expressed his anticipation about the upcoming production. “I am thrilled that we have been able to secure a cast of this calibre for our very first full-scale production.”

Originally written by Pulitzer-winning playwright Arthur Miller, the play is set in colonial Massachusetts, during the Salem Witch trials of 1692. The production is set to run at the UJ Arts Centre Theatre on the Kingsway Campus from 16 April to 6 June.