Ripon Rowel PlayersRipon Rowel Players10M 10F
This exciting drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem is both a gripping historical play and a timely parable of our reincorporate, society. The story tells how small lies - children's lies - build and build until a whole town is aroused and 19 men and women go to the gallows for being possessed of the Devil... They are good men and women, upright, hardworking, compassionate and God-fearing... The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife and a young servant girl who maliciously causes the wife's arrest for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie - and here in this trial scene, is the big moment. It is a thrilling, blood-curdling, terrifying scene, as it depicts the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit. The farmer, instead of saving his wife, finds himself also accused, imprisoned and condemned.
Dates: 29th-31st May 2003
Location: Ripon Leisure Centre
Betty Parris: Katy Gears
Reverend Samuel Parris: Barry Gwilt
Tituba: Linda Butler-Blades
Abigail Williams: Emma Beaumont
Mrs Ann Putnam: Claire Cox
Mercy Lewis: Angela Morrell
Mary Warren: Rebecca Jennings
John Proctor: Philip Jennings
Rebecca Nurse: Brenda Tabor
Giles Corey: Terry F Smith
Reverend John Hale: Ron Ainsley
Mrs Elizabeth Proctor: Elizabeth Botwright
Francis Nurse: Alan Tabor
Ezekiel Cheever: Mike Blades
Judge Hathorne: John Burney
Deputy Governor Danforth: Graham North
Sarah Good: Viv Schornagel
Producer: Audrey Hewson
Stage Manager: David Suddards
Stage Crew: Bob Maclennan, Richard Bailey & Graham Wood
Lighting and effects: Frits Schornagel
Sound: Chloe Crowder
Props: Judith Graham
Costumes: West Yorkshire Playhouse, Audrey Hewson & Elizabeth Botwright
Prompt: Sophie K. & Ryan Stocks
FOH Manager: Pat Maclennan & Jane Waterworth
Brenda Tabor, Ron Ainsley, John Burney, Elizabeth Botwright, Philip Jennings, Mike Blades and Graham North |
Terry Smith, Alan Tabor, Mike Blades, Graham North John Burney and Philip Jennings |
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Ripon Rowel Players are performing Arthur Miller's dramatic play in the Leisure Centre on 29th, 30th and 31st May. A cast of 18 people, including 8 new members, take the stage to bring you this thought provoking drama which starts at 7 p.m. each evening.
Elizabeth Proctor pleads for forgiveness from her husband, John. Cast (from left to right) Brenda Tabor, Ron Ainsley, John Burney, Elizabeth Botwright, Philip Jennings, Mike Blades and Graham North
The time is 1692, the setting is Salem, a village in America. The Mayflower docked 70 years before, and the community still has an English Puritan background. A group of young girls go "sporting" in the woods late one night. For some it is fun, but for Abigail, their leader, it is a chance to make a charm for dark reasons of her own. They are caught at their game, witchcraft is mentioned, and before long they find that they can accuse people of witchery and be believed.
A court is convened, and Abigail and the girls suddenly have a power they never believed possible. Mass hysteria takes over, and other people can now join in and accuse their neighbours of this heinous crime, simply because they own more land or had once done them a disservice.
John Proctor hands over his signed confession. Cast (from left to right) Terry Smith, Alan Tabor, Mike Blades, Graham North John Burney and Philip Jennings
Miller wrote the play in the 1950s, in the McCarthy era, when everyone was seeing "Reds under the Beds" - accusing anyone and everyone of Communism, and generally behaving in much the same way as the people of Salem all those years ago.
A tragic ending, a simple setting, and music based on the songs of Queen, this is an exciting project for the Rowel Players. All they need now is an audience, come and join them, you won't be disappointed.
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