When a group of young girls are discovered dancing in the woods trying to conjure spirits, the God-fearing people of a small New England town are told the devil and witchcraft is in their midst and must be rooted out at all costs.

The town is quickly caught up in an unstoppable flow of paranoia, indictment and manipulation as personal grievances collide with lust and superstition creating a crucible of suspicion where no person is safe from his neighbour.

This bold new production of Arthuer Miller’s The Crucible — starring Charlie Condou (Coronation Street), as the witch hunter, Reverend Hale and Victoria Yeates (Call the Midwife) as the falsely accused Elizabeth Proctor — serves as chilling reminder of the frailty of reason in the face of hysteria and the terrifying power of false accusations.

The Crucible is an ageless allegory of morality, a scorching indictment of fanaticism, and the most powerful work of American drama.

Director Douglas Rintoul said: “The Crucible speaks more to us now than it has done since its premiere in 1953. I’m thrilled to be directing this terrifying play and for this production to be reaching audiences across the UK and in Luxembourg through this innovative partnership.”

The Crucible, The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED, March 14-18, call 01322 220000 or visit orchardtheatre.co.uk