Onlookers at Shakespeare’s Globe were treated to a busy spectacle in the sky, as planes and helicopters soared overhead, adding to the atmosphere of Arthur Miller’s classic, which includes various unexpected interventions from above.

Presenting Miller’s depiction of the Salem witch trials in the Globe’s period stage setting proves effective. Director Ola Ince’s straightforward production captures the essence of a traveling performance, offering a scene that could easily be mistaken for an outdoor gathering along the Thames.

While the lengthy exposition in the first half may slow the pace, the compelling courtroom scenes draw the audience into the fray, with witnesses and officials blending into the crowd. This engagement evokes the feeling of being absorbed in a community overshadowed by superstition, rumor, and malicious whispers.

Can contemporary viewers immerse themselves in a narrative where the fear of hellfire rivals the intensity of modern social media storms? Similar to Lyndsey Turner’s recent production, which transitioned from the National Theatre to the West End, there are moments where audiences chuckle in response to lines that should carry significant gravity.

Gavin Drea portrays John Proctor with a quiet yet powerful presence, embodying the independent farmer caught in the frenzy of local hysteria, adopting an Irish accent for a unique twist. Hannah Saxby’s portrayal of Abigail Williams, the determined ringleader of the girls allegedly under the Devil’s spell, showcases a bold young woman unashamedly expressing her desire for the married Proctor.

As the frenzy of accusations escalates and more townsfolk are arrested, the tension between Reverend Hale (Jo Stone-Fewings) and Deputy Governor Danforth (Gareth Snook) becomes palpable. Snook’s performance hints at the ominous nature of a witchfinder-general, seeking out perceived sinners in every corner of the courtroom.

Musicians positioned in the balcony provide haunting musical interludes, adding to the atmosphere, while the evening’s length conveys the weight of a day hard spent in toil. Nonetheless, the chilling moment when the girls seem to succumb to malevolent forces serves as a stark, unsettling glimpse into the supernatural. ★★★★☆ 170min. To Jul 12, shakespearesglobe.com