Terror--The Trial Of Major Lars Koch

It is always a pleasure to visit the Quay Theatre - a small but lovely venue. On this occasion there were immediate signs that we were going to see something quite unique. The call 'Members of the Jury, please take your seats' reinforced that perception. We entered into a courtroom.

Our introduction to the piece from the Presiding Judge played by Peter Fishwick instantly set the scene. His excellent, measured delivery brought the solemnity and gravity of the occasion to the audience. There was an expectation of the audience to make a judgement. We were to decide the guilt or innocence of a pilot who had shot down a passenger plane which had been hijacked by terrorists to prevent it crashing into a packed football stadium. Peter maintained his judicial detachment throughout the piece which certainly enhanced the reality of the drama.

The introduction of the legal protagonists gave us two very different characters. David Hossack as Defence Counsel Biegler gave us a passionate if slightly shambolic lawyer which contrasted really well with the much quieter and self contained State Prosecutor Nelson played by Gemma Cooper. Both were very convincing in their roles and maintained the tension of the courtroom. I felt that their closing statements were delivered with true passion.

The two military representatives also gave us contrasting characters. The witness Colonel Christian Lauterbach played by Neil Arbon was the epitome of the military establishment giving precise details but definitely covering his back whilst the Defendant Major Lars Koch, Darryl Crawley gave a very strong portrayal of the dedicated career soldier prepared to take an impossible decision. Darryl gave us a very detached, unemotional performance that was compelling.

The final witness, Franziska Meiser, played by Alison Crawley, whose husband had been killed in the crash gave us the human face of a tragedy.

All of these players were totally convincing in their roles and this was evident from the concentrated demeanour of the audience. This was not a play to promote noticeable audience reaction but every member was completely drawn into the action. This was evident in the interval where conversation in the bar was all about the moral dilemma.

I must congratulate everyone involved in this excellent and unique production. I have rarely sat in an auditorium where the audience is so completely focussed on the action. From the usher who set the scene in such a quiet way to all the courtroom protagonists there was complete commitment to the drama. The set and all the technical elements were so unobtrusive but vital to the successful transformation of the theatre. I was totally drawn in to the dilemma and found it extremely hard to decide where my decision should go. I will only say that a few words within the Judge's summing up changed my mind at the last moment.

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