Salem, Massachusetts -
"Cry Innocent" Witch Trial

"Cry Innocent" Witch Trial

A lively reenactment of a historical witch trial begins in the street, and lures tourists to the preformance in the Old Town Hall. Roadsideamerica.com Report...

Cry Innocent

Cry Innocent was, by far, the best sight we have ever seen in Salem - it blows all the rest of the witch museums and such away. We found all the rest of exhibits in the town to be misguided and cheesy - they basically told you what to believe. The performers in the Bridget Bishop witchcraft trial reenactment "Cry Innocent" were not only great actors, but knew their history top to bottom, great at improvising, and allowed the viewer (the audience - ie, me) to decide what to think when we took a vote at the end. [Nick Hornsick, 09/05/2005]

[RA: We liked the way the costumed actors from Cry Innocent started wandering downtown Salem just before the arrest. Here's a photo of a friendly Puritan girl handing out show flyers only minutes before she joined the mob that drags a screaming Bridget Bishop off the street.]

Cry Innocent Witch Trials

"CRY Innocent, The People Versus Bridget Bishop" is a live and lively reenactment of the witchcraft hearing of Bridget Bishop, the first person to be hanged in the Salem witch trials of 1692. History Alive's troupe of professional actors perform the actual testimonies spoken by Mrs. Bishop and her neighbors over 300 years ago. As an audience member, you determine the outcome of her pretrial examination. You will be free to cross-examine witnesses,address the magistrate, argue with the defendant and speak your mind before the entire assembly. I highly recommend it. It's located at the Old Town Hall. [Bill Buck, 07/29/1997]