Agatha Christie’s play Witness For The Prosecution was initially tailored from her 1952 quick story, Traitor’s Palms. Opening in London in 1953 and on Broadway in 1952, the courtroom drama enthralled audiences and has since been tailored for movie and tv a number of instances. Christie herself at all times envisaged her drama enjoying out in a site-specific manufacturing and this yr marks the fifth anniversary of the play within the magnificent environment of London County Corridor. To mark this event, a brand new solid joins to inform Christie’s story of homicide, deception, innocence and keenness in a manufacturing that has garnered essential acclaim.
Witness for the Prosecution sees Leonard Vole referred to as to the stand after he’s accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. His spouse Romaine is named to the stand, however testifies in a stunning method, talking out in opposition to her husband. The stakes are excessive – will Leonard survive the stunning witness testimony, will he be capable to persuade the jury of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose?
Lucy Bailey directs the reveals eighth solid which incorporates Harry Reid (EastEnders) as Leonard Vole, Naomi Sheldon (Peter Pan Goes Fallacious, Good Lady, Intercourse With a Stranger) as Romaine Vole, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart (Personal Lives, The Final Temptation of Boris Johnson, Mamma Mia!) as Sir Wilfrid Robarts Q.C and Justin Avoth (My Sensible Good friend, Love From a Stranger, Unhealthy Schooling) as Mr Myers Q.C. They’re joined by Rosanna Adams as Greta/Miss Clegg, Lorraine Amako as Stenographer, Daniel Bravo as Decide’s Clerk, Jonathan Coote as Mr Mayhew, Nicholas Day as Mr Justice Wainwright, Myles Devonte as Court docket Officer 1/Randall, Greg Fitch as Solicitor, Kevin M Golding as Wyatt/ Carter, Lawrence Haynes as Court docket Officer 2, Isabella Kibble as The Girl, Paul Mcewan as Inspector Hearne, Simon Rhodes as Warder, Tom Syms as Clerk of the Court docket and Lucy Tregear as Janet Mackenzie.
As Leonard Vole, Harry Reid is a tour de pressure ready to attract the viewers’s coronary heart strings. Simply capable of make us snort in a single second and cry the subsequent, Reid actually has enjoyable with Vole sinking his tooth deep into the character. As his spouse Romaine Vole, Naomi Sheldon offers a commanding efficiency. Sheldon’s portrayal of Romaine is assured and decisive giving femme fatale vibes whereas protecting the viewers on the sting of their seats all through. Dugald Bruce-Lockhart offers a putting efficiency as counsel of the accused Sir Wilfrid Robarts Q.C. Essentially the most achieved of the 2 legal professionals, Lockhart leans into his characters lofty confidence, reassuring the viewers as they vote on Voles destiny because the make-shift jury. Because the cracks start the present within the case Crown prosecutor Mr Myers Q.C. unravels and Justin Avoth gave an entertaining efficiency of this man on the sting.
Introduced in-the-round within the historic Chamber Room of London County Corridor, this Witness For The Prosecution is a real ensemble present. Typically enjoying a number of characters, the solid make scene modifications all through bringing easy furnishings to the stage to depict areas whereas accompanied by music that drives the stress ahead.
The Chamber Room of London County Corridor is the right setting for Witness For The Prosecution. Traditionally wealthy and superbly designed, the Corridor focuses the viewers’s consideration to the centre level of the room naturally drawing you into the story which makes for an exciting efficiency.
Because the nights will get darker and the climate colder, be sure to get tickets for Witness For The Prosecution and be a part of the 1000’s of people that’ve been gripped by the case of Leonard Vole and had their imaginations captured on this Agatha Christie basic.
★★★★★
Evaluate by Stuart James