The Crucible Play Guide for AQA GCSE Drama

KEY TERMS Historical drama: A play set in an earlier time period. Naturalistic: Lifelike, believable, realistic. Chronological: Events presented in the order in which they occurred. TIP As you study the play, make a note of the design challenges, particularly scene changes and the passing of time. Decide on practical design choices you could make to convey the plot and meaning of the play to the audience in clear and engaging ways. SECTION B STUDY OF A SET PLAY: THE CRUCIBLE 23 Terms Relevance to The Crucible TEST YOURSELF B1 Match the theatrical term with its correct application to The Crucible . It is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. A designer must decide how to represent the four different settings of the play. It is usually performed in a naturalistic fashion, with the actors speaking realistic, believable dialogue and wearing historically accurate costumes. The four acts of the play are presented in chronological order, each representing an episode in the tragedy of John Proctor. Key roles include the Proctors, Abigail Williams, Deputy Governor Danforth and Reverend Hale. It is an example of a historical drama . GENRE STYLE CHARACTERS PLOT PRACTICAL UNDERSTANDING CONTEXT An illustration by Howard Pyle of the Salem trial of two women accused of witchcraft 5