Lust, greed and murder aren’t topics usually tackled in a school play but the budding thespians at Warwick Academy are putting their acting skills to the test in a production of ‘The Crucible’.Students Keiran Hamilton, 16, and Kori White, 17, will act as two of the story’s main characters, starting tomorrow night at 7.30pm. The story, based on the 1952 play written by Arthur Miller, is a dramatisation of the Salem witch trials.Kieran said he was thrilled to get an opportunity to audition for the role and to challenge himself with the part.“It’s exciting because I have read that book before and I knew it would be an interesting part to play. I have had big roles before but never played such a serious character.”The story centres around the trials of people accused of witchcraft in the late 1600s. But also includes romance as a love triangle develops between Keiran’s character John Proctor and two females in the play.“It’s got bits of comedy our director [drama teacher Chris James] likes to throw in there so people aren’t crying the whole time, but it’s quite a dark play and has a sad ending.”Year 13 student Kori, who plays Abigail, said in addition to the plot the play had really great music, which helped to create the setting.All these elements result in some of the powerful and highly moving performances, said school principal Maggie McCorkell.She said she was initially surprised to learn Mr James had chosen to stage ‘The Crucible’ for albeit a masterpiece, it is also considered “rather slow and steeped in the traditionalism of it’s time setting”.But Mrs McCorkell said: “What I have found especially intriguing and fascinating from observing rehearsals is the pace of the play and the refreshing use of the music, choreography and the ambiguous time setting chosen, reflected in the highly imaginative use of set, lighting and costume.“As admittedly biased as I may be, I am once again bowled over by the talent of our students and their powerful and often highly moving performances.”Keiran, a Year 12 student, has acted in plays such as Gilbert and Sullivan’s production of ‘Jesus Christ Super Star’ and ‘Oliver’ in the past.He said they started preparing for The Crucible before school finished for the summer in June, but dove deeper at the start of this school year in September.For the past few weeks they have been practicing a few hours a day, six-days-a-week.Co-star Kori, who had a part in Warwick Academy’s last school play ‘Hairspray’, said one of the challenging parts during rehearsals had to do with keeping some of the younger cast members in order. “The rehearsals are so long they do lose focus. It’s so hard and we want to get [the practice] done so it looks decent.”During practices she said she was usually preparing for her own role, but once and a while got a glimpse of other scenes and was blown away.“The way the director has done it, he just wants people to be like ‘wow’. I think there is so much going on, so many different aspects, I’m just like ‘wow’.”Both youngsters admit they want to go into theatre, but admit it is a “tough career choice to get into”.“There are so many people wanting to do it but there’s a very small chance of getting out into this area,” said Keiran.They said they anticipate feeling a bit of nervous energy the night of the play taking place tomorrow, Friday and Saturday but also believe it will be a lot of fun for themselves and the audience.“Warwick Academy has a pretty good reputation as far as the theatre side and we want to keep the reputation going.“We are working hard so far and we don’t want all the work to go down the drain. I think it’s going to be a really good show and I would love for people to come to see it,” added Keiran.There will be a gala dinner taking place tomorrow before opening night at Warwick Academy at 6.30pm. Tickets for the dinner and show cost $100 per person. Friday and Saturday nights’ shows start at promptly 7.30pm and cost $20 per person.Tickets are available at the school’s main reception or by calling 236-1917 to reserve.