Beyond Reasonable Doubt

I can see why this was a hit in London. The court room drama of an eminent QC on trial for murdering his wife followed in Act 2 by the home background leading up to the death was  gripping stuff, more so as the audience were the jury and had to vote at the interval. Alex Kemp as Sir David Metcalf QC gave an assured performance in this demanding role of authoritative QC, beguiling raconteur of court stories, and loving husband, charming and irascible in turn. He impressed with his Welsh accent and quotations from Dylan Thomas, making that playwright’s words come alive - and all the while quaffing considerable quantities of fine wine! He was ably assisted by Jeff Robinson as Mr Justice Tredwell, aptly named, by Craig Potter as Robert Pierson Sir David’s Junior Counsel and by friends, Doctor Weedon and Lionel Hamilton, played well by John Doonan and Roger Munday. On the prosecuting side, Alex Rankine as Anthony Blair-Booth mounted the evidence and provoked in equal measure, coolly, eagerly and occasionally triumphantly. Chris Mitchell as Mrs Rogers the Housekeeper and antagonist portrayed the frightened servant in court and aggrieved employee at home very well, oozing concern for her employer’s wife. Judith Hutchinson as Lady Metcalf fully engaged with the role of loving wife, excellent hostess and wit to match her husband. She convinced in her courage, in her pain and in her realism of the future. The death scene was handled with commendable restraint. All worked hard at their roles- like the Court officials, and the Stenographer who said nothing but was obviously recording events. The production made sure everyone counted and gave a real flavour of the austerity of the court contrasted against the friendliness of the home.  In this, the cast were ably assisted by the sets and attention to detail: the wood panelled impersonal courtroom against a beautiful wealthy home. All are to be congratulated on their fine portrayal of this drama which kept the audience involved and guessing right to the last.

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