Release Date: October 29, 1962
Country of Origin: Australia
Filming Locations: National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
Production Company: NIDA / ABN – Channel 2
Synopsis
This production was a take on Arthur Miller’s classic, a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the Salem Witch Trials, which took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the year 1692. The play centers around a group of young Salem women who falsely accuse other villagers of witchcraft, prompting the formation of a court to investigate the alleged crimes.
Cassandra’s Role
Cassandra (Sandra Gleeson) plays Abigail Williams, the play’s antagonist. Though the real-life Abigail Williams was 11-12 years old at the time of these historical events, Miller raised her age to 17 for his play. Abigail is the character that drives the story, as her actions are the catalyst for the Salem Witch Trials. She is the niece of Reverend Parris, the minister of Salem and, for a time, was a servant in farmer John Proctor’s household. Abigail briefly had an affair with John before his wife, Elizabeth, found out and fired her. Abigail is beautiful, intelligent, crafty, and vindictive, plus a skillful liar. She is also the leader of her group of girlfriends and is willing to do anything to protect herself.
Additional Details
- This was a closed circuit production of the NIDA. It is unclear whether it was ever broadcast.
- It was adapted from a radio adaptation of the play by Catherine Shepherd.
- NIDA also produced a staged version the same year featuring a whole different cast.
- Somebody in New York tried to obtain TV rights to this production in 1966 but was declined due to “the sale of motion picture rights.”
Director’s Notes
The NIDA kids were interesting because they would not, at this stage when I got them, have worked on tele or seen cameras or the inside of a studio, so the bulk of your time was spent on technical matters. If you’re in a close shot don’t use so much voice, don’t be embarrassed if I put you there and there in a room that’s 50 feet square and why can’t I make a big gesture because you’re not in the theatre which is the answer to that. But apart from explaining technicalities I was inclined to let the actor produce what he could or wanted to exactly as you would with Edith Evans, not that I ever had the opportunity of directing Edith Evans.
Director Alan Burke
The Crucible Files
Source: Australian TV Plays