Witness For The Prosecution

Who would have thought that a courtroom drama would hold the audience’s attention throughout. But this is no ordinary drama, this is Agatha Christie, so there must be a mystery, with different twists and turns which leaves you changing your mind several times as to ‘whodunnit’. The original short story was penned by Christie in 1925 and then adapted for the stage in 1953. Without giving too much away, the plot revolves around Leonard Vole being tried for the murder of an elderly friend, possibly to claim an inheritance. Then with  ruthless examination of witnesses, several twists and turns along the way and an unexpected ending we have our mystery solved. 

The stage is set in an excellent layout as a courtroom in the Old Bailey but the opening front lit scene, is of the offices of the defending barrister Sir Wilfred Roberts QC. With a repositioning of desks and chairs we have the courtroom layout. Lighting was subdued most of the time as befitting the sobriety of a courtroom. Costumes were suitable for the 1950’s era and the courtroom officials suitably robed and bewigged. 

Much lies on the shoulders of David Adams as Sir Wilfred, what an excellent portrayal of a barrister defending his client Leonard Vole. Ashley Munson was totally believable as Vole, able to show the naivety and ruthlessness of the character. Bridget Collins played his wife Romaine Vole, her German accent sometimes made it hard to understand the dialogue, but maybe that was just me! However, she was very convincing in this role. Once in the courtroom, we, the audience, became the jury and were addressed as such. Emma Harrison was unrelenting as the prosecutor Miss Myers QC. Alan Round as Mr Justice Wainwright had an important role and was quite amusing. The large cast, from Sir Wilfred’s office staff, the police and medical witnesses, the victim’s housekeeper and courtroom officials from the stenographer typing away, to the warden sitting with the accused, some of them had no dialogue but were all just as important and worked well together. Sandra Barfield’s direction made what could have been a very static play come to life.

What happened to Leonard Vole? Was he guilty or not guilty? You will have to see the play to find out!  

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