The Crucible Play Guide for AQA GCSE Drama

COMPONENT 1 UNDERSTANDING DRAMA 46 Set I want to suggest the severe conditions of the jail for those awaiting their deaths. My design would reflect the materials available in 17th-century America, so I would create a floor and lower level of the walls to resemble large stones, with the upper level having heavy timber beams, rough-plastered walls and a small barred window. Along stage left and stage right will be two rough wooden benches. Upstage will be a large heavy door with a substantial iron ring-handle on it. This door will figure prominently because the characters are aware that their executions await them outside. Sound My sound design will highlight the impending deaths of the accused. Beyond the jail door, will be a recording of the sound of a horse and wagon drawing up and heavy footsteps as guards arrive. Executions at this time often took place in public and I want to create the sense that this will be a watched event. When the prisoners are led out, there will be a shockingly loud burst of drum rolls, produced live off stage. Lighting This scene will be dark, with some areas of the stage in shadow, suggesting the grim and frightening conditions of the jail. There will be a light from Herrick’s lantern and from a fresnel lantern illuminating the small leaded window upstage left. That will have a filter creating a dark rosy glow, as morning is arriving. The effect will be ominous, however, as gobos in additional profile lanterns will create a pattern of prison bars on the floor. Sample answers for Component 1, Section B, Question 1 Costume For Proctor’s costume, I want to show how a Puritan farmer in the 17th century would dress, but also to reflect the hardships he has experienced in prison. I would dress him in dark-brown breeches, a loose linen shirt and a russet wool jerkin. In Act 4, the shirt would look filthy: a dull grey shade and stained dark brown in places. The cuffs would be frayed. His hair will be oily and tangled. Dark make-up under his eyes will suggest he hasn’t slept. The fit of his clothes will be looser, to show he has lost weight. The effect is of a once proud man brought down by the cruelty of false accusations. Props In this extract, Proctor finally decides that he cannot allow the confession to be posted. At this time, a document like this would be handwritten on thick paper, possibly with uncut or rounded edges. The confession has been written by Cheever using a quill pen. The writing would be large and cursive, so that it would make an impressive document when it is displayed to the village. Task B18 Below are extracts from sample answers focusing on Act 4, pages 130–131, relating different design specialisms to the play’s context. Highlight them for: • Context • Design detail • Understanding of the play and characters.