Last chance: The Crucible ft Jonjo O’Neill at Royal Exchange

To mark the centenary year of the playwright Arthur Miller, the Royal Exchange is staging one of his most acclaimed works, The Crucible. The play centres on a group of girls who, after a childish game spins out of control, are caught up in the infamous Salem Witch Trials. The devout local community descends into hysteria as the false accusations of witchcraft are stoked by those with something to gain. Even though it was written in the 1950s and is set in the 17th century, due to its themes of theocracy, paranoia, and unchecked power, The Crucible still resonates with theatregoers today. Jonjo O’Neill (Sky’s Fortitude, The Fall) and Matti Houghton (RSC, Doctors) lead a cast of 19 in this stripped back take on a drama classic. The play is directed by Sophie Steinbeis, an alumna of the National Theatre, who makes her main stage debut at the Exchange.

Fri 18 Sep – Sat 24 Oct, Royal Exchange Theatre, St. Anns Square, Manchester, M2 7DH, show times and ticket prices vary, www.royalexchange.co.uk