Rough Justice

Rough Justice a play staged by St Michael’s Amateur Dramatic Society at St Michael’s Church Hall, Shaw Street, Wigan on Saturday, 10th September, 2022

This intriguing and thought-provoking play was penned by Terence Frisby.  The play centres around James Highwood, the host of a popular television programme called ‘British Justice’. Highwood is on the stand at the Old Bailey accused of murdering his mentally disabled child. He refuses his solicitor’s plea to obtain legal representation and conducts his own defence, admitting responsibility but pleading guilty to manslaughter. His claim that the jury alone is responsible for the verdict brings him into conflict with the judge, while his battle to have his intentions understood brings him into conflict with the prosecutor, a well-known Catholic pro-lifer.

Having served as a police officer in Liverpool from 1968 until 2001, this play rekindled many memories of hours spent in many different courtrooms being examined and cross examined by solicitors, barrister’s and the like…

The production had been placed in the capable hands of the ever so talented and experienced June Dowd (Director). It was obvious from the start, that the cast were well-rehearsed and had been given a clear picture as to how each character should conduct themselves in a courtroom… this resulted in some great characterisation and some great exchanges between witnesses and the judiciary… be proud June, good job!

What was a little unsettling was the realisation that we, the audience, were being asked to represent the jury! This, realisation not only made you feel part of the production, but it actually made you feel part of the actual proceedings, which resulted in the need to pay far more attention to the detail… you really didn’t want to miss a vital clue did you!

The Cast… as most will know from previous reviews, this is where I usually ‘stick my neck out’ and start to  identify ‘favourites’… but that feels slightly wrong for this production, because I honestly believe that this was very much a ‘total team effort’ with everyone relying/supporting each other whilst actually giving of their best… what more can you ask!  So, David Maloney took on the ‘lead’ role of ‘James Highwood’, the successful journalist, who hosts the TV programme ‘British Justice’.  Highwood is on trial for the murder of his nine-month-old severely disabled and brain-damaged child’, but has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.  David did a really good job with this role.  Good stage presence, good characterisation … the ‘exchanges’ between himself and the judiciary in particular Margaret Caseley QG and the Judge were believable and well delivered!   Well done David good job!   June Dowd, not only directed this play, but had a major role to play as well, that of Margaret Caseley QC. June is blessed with great stage presence and provided us with a totally believable character!  Her mannerisms, expressions and body language were excellent and as with David, the legal exchanges/cross examination between the two were totally believable! Well done, June, every credit!  Matt Morrell looked at ease with the role of the ‘Judge’ who had to try and keep a lid on proceedings, especially when Heywood was more or less challenging every aspect of the British Legal System. Another with good stage presence and who created a good character!  Well done Matt be proud sir!  Patrick McNulty took on the role of ‘Jeremy Ackroyd’… Highwood’s friendly Solicitor who was trying to advise/pursued Highwood to seek Legal Counsel and not to represent himself. Again looked totally comfortable and assured in this role which he made his own!  Another with good stage presence, be proud Patrick, good job!  Laurie Mountford played the wife of our defendant ‘Jean Highwood’.   Jean has a dark secret, but can she live it?  She was in court every day supporting her husband… their love plainly obvious!  Laurie was another who looked confident and assured in her role. Good stage presence, her ‘outburst’ at the end of Act 1 from the public gallery (i.e. sat across from me) was totally unexpected, but nicely delivered and scared the ‘heebie jeebies’ out of me and many more sat close by … well done Laurie good job!  Dave Palin, played ‘Dr Simon Kerr’, a Pathologist at the trial who gave expert evidence for the prosecution. Confident, assured… delivered his findings with great authority, another blessed with good stage presence and good characterisation skills… well done Dave. Angie Fagan took on the role of ‘Dr Hannah Radzinski’, a Paediatrician… again an expert witness called by the Prosecution to give evidence in the case.  Well done Angie good job.  Last but not least we had the Police Officer in the Case… PC Ramsden played by Michelle Kenny. Well done Michelle good job 

THE SET… was designed by June Dowd (busy lady) and constructed and built by Ian Field.  The set was a single set which was used throughout with an off-stage area used as a ‘holding cell’ during the trial. The set was simple but used to great effect.  In charge ‘Back Stage’ was Julie Clarke (Stage Manager) ensuring everything ran smoothly. Well done… Julie!

SOUND AND LIGHTING…  was, as always, in the safe and experienced hands of Caitriona Muir, sat in her ‘Nest’ overlooking and overseeing everything!  Simple yet effective!  Well done Caitriona great job as usual!

WARDROBE and PROPS… Costumes were fabulous hired from Charades Theatrical Costume Hire, St. Helens.  The ‘props’ were apt and used really well… provided by the cast!  

This was a very wordy play, with a great deal of ‘courtroom jargon’ to be had… which I think caused a few ‘moments of temporary memory lapse’ which did slow things down just a little, but not so much that it affected the overall production!

Although the audience on the night was small, it didn’t stop those present having conversations/opinions about the evidence, the verdict and the outcome!  I always try and ‘snoop’ during the interval and at the end to listen to the comments from the audience… always a good source of information on how things went and I think we were all in agreement that we’d really enjoyed what we had been privilege to see… although ‘THE VERDICT’ was defiantly not unanimous when the audience were asked after the performance had concluded!

Just before I end this review can I just say how lovely it was to see and speak with Ann Wasley… wonderful to see her back in the fold, it had been too long!  (PS…get yourself in the panto!)

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I to your production, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are already looking forward to climbing that ‘Beanstalk’ with you in 2023!

Stay safe and keep well…
‘STRONGER TOGETHER’

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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