Actors sought for The Crucible

A FIRE IS BURNING: Taken from the film version of The Crucible, this picture depicts the hysteria behind the Salem witch trials in the late 1600s, and now Unity Theatre seeks actors for a costume production of Arthur Miller's widely acclaimed play.Picture supplied

Auditions for Unity Theatre's production of Arthur Miller's powerful play, The Crucible, will be held at the theatre in Ormond Road on July 18 and 19.

Written in 1953, The Crucible is a dramatised and partially fictionalised story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the late 17th century.

Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when Cold War paranoia about supposed Communist sympathisers among the public was rife in the US government.

Senator McCarthy's conspiracy trials in America compelled Miller to write his drama, taking the notorious witchcraft trials that rocked Salem, Massachusetts in the late 1600s as his parallel theme.

The cast in the Norman Maclean-directed production will be divided between male and female players. The cast will include a group of five teenage girls who have the demanding roles of malicious hysterics and victims of the witch mania that swept their community in 1693.

To register interest, call 867 3423 or 021 022 05074. 1

PAINTING WORKSHOP: The Gisborne Artists' Society is up and running again and the first course of the year is a one-day event run by artist Jaqui Kay. On Sunday June 28, 10am-4pm, at Lysnar House studios, Kay will help participants explore watercolour and ink to discover what can be achieved by combining both media. Techniques will include working back into the paint with ink to achieve unusual effects. Pencil and watercolour are another combination for those who would like to try something different. Personality Frames have especially prepared packs in three grades, compiled according to experience and capability, for those who might want to equip themselves with supplies. The cost for the course is $40. This can be paid on arrival but booking is essential. For bookings, contact Kath McLaughlin at: mikecat52@gmail.com