Washington DC-based Keegan Theatre returns to Ireland with Arthur Miller’s masterpiece The Crucible.

This will be Keegan Theatre’s 13th annual Irish tour, most recently having toured Fool For Love in 2010 and Of Mice and Men in 2009. The Crucible will run at the Watergate Theatre from Monday September 19th to Saturday 24th . Mon. 19, Tues. 20, Fri. 23, Sat. 24 8pm, €20/15. Daytime shows at 11am on Wed. 21&Thurs. 22 €10. Tickets are currently on sale at the Watergate box office (056) 77 61674

Arthur Miller’s classic portrait of one man’s struggle toward grace is set in the scorching context of the 17th Century Salem Witch Trials. A community galvanized by fear and suspicion, a wife betrayed by lust, an orphan girl blind with passion and possessed with revenge, ruthless prosecutors, deluded holy men, and covetous neighbours. The Crucible pulses with the destructiveness of socially sanctioned violence and the heart of one tortured man trying to find his own goodness. Keegan Artistic Director Mark A. Rhea reprises his acclaimed performance as John Proctor; Associate Artistic Director Susan Marie Rhea directs.

The Crucible tour is a co-production with Town Hall Theatre Galway, and will feature Irish local actresses playing the younger roles of Mercy Lewis, Betty Parris, Susanna Walcott and Elizabeth Hubbard. In each city on this year’s three week tour (Galway, Kilkenny, Cork), four different actresses will play these roles, rehearsing with the American cast after Keegan arrives in Ireland in early September. Local actresses Annette O Shea, Iseult Cahill, Connie Walsh and Alex Christle will perform in the Kilkenny run. Keegan first produced the show in 2003 to widespread critical acclaim. “A riveting, white-hot production from Keegan Theatre…Director Susan Marie Rhea’s vision, combined with powerful performances, make Keegan’s The Crucible a fresh viewing experience” – The Washington Post