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The Crucible on Screen
Dec. 7th, 2014 10:19 pmThis afternoon ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
moonlightmead and I went to see the screening of The Crucible at Cineworld in Gloucester Quays. The story of why Mead was with me, and the detour that we made, will have to be another post, this one is purely about the play/film.
I was delighted when they decided to film the play, and even happier when I realised I could see it locally and that the second screening wasn't on a Brownie night. I would have liked to see the play again, but it was a sell out and going to London isn't always that easy (or cheap). I understand that some cinemas sold out - Gloucester isn't the height of culture and there were plenty of empty seats, but the utter silence from those watching is testament to how much those who were there appreciated the opportunity.
I'd read that they'd tried to do something special with the filming of the play and to me it worked very well. Although they had captured the play in its entirety it felt like we were watching a film. For the scenery changes between acts the actors were made to look ghost-like which worked extremely well. There were occasional shots which included the audience but there was never the feeling that they were being filmed for their reactions. At times we could see the microphone lines taped to the actors, but that was really the only indication that this was a filmed play.
I found the play just as compelling as when I saw it live and it dragged me through the same set of emotions. A few times it lacked the power it had on stage - when the girls are mimicking Mary in the courtroom scene was one - purely because watching live you have the ability to look around more, rather than having the direction of your view dictated. And I no longer felt I was having to restrain myself from going onto the stage, either to confront the judge or comfort Proctor. But that's inevitable when watching a screen rather than from the third row. I was sitting next to someone who had been in the upper circle at the Old Vic and they were delighted at being able to see the action from much closer.
And yes, watching Richard Armitage go through the range of emotions once more was wonderful. I was so pleased that I had been able to see John Proctor again.
moonlightmead and I went to see the screening of The Crucible at Cineworld in Gloucester Quays. The story of why Mead was with me, and the detour that we made, will have to be another post, this one is purely about the play/film.I was delighted when they decided to film the play, and even happier when I realised I could see it locally and that the second screening wasn't on a Brownie night. I would have liked to see the play again, but it was a sell out and going to London isn't always that easy (or cheap). I understand that some cinemas sold out - Gloucester isn't the height of culture and there were plenty of empty seats, but the utter silence from those watching is testament to how much those who were there appreciated the opportunity.
I'd read that they'd tried to do something special with the filming of the play and to me it worked very well. Although they had captured the play in its entirety it felt like we were watching a film. For the scenery changes between acts the actors were made to look ghost-like which worked extremely well. There were occasional shots which included the audience but there was never the feeling that they were being filmed for their reactions. At times we could see the microphone lines taped to the actors, but that was really the only indication that this was a filmed play.
I found the play just as compelling as when I saw it live and it dragged me through the same set of emotions. A few times it lacked the power it had on stage - when the girls are mimicking Mary in the courtroom scene was one - purely because watching live you have the ability to look around more, rather than having the direction of your view dictated. And I no longer felt I was having to restrain myself from going onto the stage, either to confront the judge or comfort Proctor. But that's inevitable when watching a screen rather than from the third row. I was sitting next to someone who had been in the upper circle at the Old Vic and they were delighted at being able to see the action from much closer.
And yes, watching Richard Armitage go through the range of emotions once more was wonderful. I was so pleased that I had been able to see John Proctor again.
