The Crucible---Period Piece?

[GypsyRoseLee]

The Crucible---Period Piece?#0

Posted: 12/29/04 at 12:13am

I've always wondered...

Is The Crucible by Arthur Miller considered a contemporary or a period piece? Obviously in regard to the time that it was written, it's contemporary, but taking the setting and language into consideration, would it then be considered period?

It's time to start thinking about college auditions (I'm a Junior in High School) and most of them ask for contrasting pieces. I just want to make sure I don't embarrass myself!

"This is what I trained to do, and this is what I love about theater. What I love about being an actress is being able to really look into myself and understand another human being. And out my own self, to shape and form and fashion a real human being--and to present that in such a way that people see something of themselves or their own understanding in that human being." --Phylicia Rashad

[PJ]

re: The Crucible---Period Piece?#1

Posted: 12/29/04 at 12:22am

I suppose it could be classified as a period piece. However, it's not a classic. It's contemporary.

[Mary_Ethel]

re: The Crucible---Period Piece?#2

Posted: 12/29/04 at 12:26am

Well, in my opinion, although THE CRUCIBLE is set during the 1690s Salem Witch Trials and REALLY is about McCarthyism in the 1950s--it is much more than that.

It's about mob role, political policy versus moral rights, and the courage of a few individuals destined to loose everything just to maintain to the truth.

In that regard, I would consider the play and its theme to be timeless.


After all, it was filmed less than ten years ago...


Hope this helps with your audition!

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[SueleenGay]

re: The Crucible---Period Piece?#3

Posted: 12/29/04 at 2:21am

For auditions THE CRUCIBLE would be considered "contemporary", not "classical". If they are asking for contrasting pieces, it means one "Classical", usually written before 1900 and often verse is prefered, the other "contemporary" or a play written since 1900 or so. It makes no difference what time period the play is set, go on when it was written/first produced. Did that make any sense?

PEACE.

[Jon]

re: The Crucible---Period Piece?#4

Posted: 12/29/04 at 7:24am

Suleen is right. "Classical" ENDS with Oscar Wilde. Shaw, Chekhov, Ibsen are considered the beginning of the "modern" era of playwriting.