The Crucible (1962)

 

 A closed circuit production with students from NIDA of the classic play.

I had no idea this play existed. Was it ever broadcast? Just a test? Filmed and not shown?

Premise

A man is accused of witchcraft.

Cast

* John Stevens as Reverend Parris

* Macushla Beirne as Betty Parris

* Sandra Gleeson as Aibgail Williams

* Unity Earle as Anna Walcott

* Alison Clamp as Susanna Walcott

* Vere Fulwood as Thomas Putnam

* Alison Bauld as Mercy Lewis

* Carla Crisopoletti (I) and Anne Dobrowolska (II) as Mary Warren

* Tim Cohen (I) and Brian Harold II (as John Proctor)

* Lyn Coben as Giles Carey

 * Dennis Olsen as Reverend Hale

* Tessa Mallos as Tituba

* Jane Bertelsen as Elizabeth Proctor

* Tony Crebar as Francis Nurse

*Allan Lander as Ezekiel Cheever

* Mal Carmont as Marshal Herric

* Patricia Best as Salem Girl

Original Play

You know it, right?

Production

It was adapted from the radio adaptation by Catherine Shepherd.

It was directed by Alan Burke in Sydney. Patricia Hooker was the script assistant. Douglas Smith designed it. Mervin Johnson was the technical producer with Barry Quick as the assistant techical producer. Bill Crawford was floor manager. Tony Gilbert was assistant floor manager.

There seems to have been another 1962 NIDA performance on stage. 

Alan Burke talked about directing kids to Graham Shirley in 2004:

The NIDA kids were interesting because they would not, at this stage when I got them, have worked on tele or seen cameras or the inside of a studio, so the bulk of your time was spent on technical matters. If you’re in a close shot don’t use so much voice, don’t be embarrassed if I put you there and there in a room that’s 50 feet square and why can’t I make a big gesture because you’re not in the theatre which is the answer to that. But apart from explaining technicalities I was inclined to let the actor produce what he could or wanted to exactly as you would with Edith Evans, not that I ever had the opportunity of directing Edith Evans.