The Yard to stage a female-led production of The Crucible

East London's Yard Theatre is to stage a female-led version of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible.

The show will be the biggest ever undertaken by the venue and is the first time The Yard will ever stage a classic text by a non living writer. The piece will feature a woman starring as John Procter.

Jay Miller, who also heads up the venue, will direct the piece, which will run 27 March to 11 May 2019. The play follows what happens when in Salem when a witch trial takes place.

Jay Miller said: "We need to look back in order to move forward. Interrogating the canon, bringing new voices into dialogue with it, reimagining the future through a look back at the past. The Crucible speaks of a world torn apart, a community that, driven by fear, becomes isolated individuals, scared, and desperate to protect themselves. This speaks powerfully to today."

Designs for the piece are by Cecile Tremolieres, sound from Josh Anio Griggs, composition from Jonah Brody and lighting from Jess Bernberg.