Witness for the Prosecution Thrills Audiences at London’s Historic County Hall
I have been summoned for jury service three times – in 2018, earlier this year to see an understudy run of Witness for the Prosecution, and now to celebrate seven years at the marvellous County Hall on the South Bank. The show initially had a short season, but here we are, years later, and Witness for the Prosecution is still going strong. It’s a testament to the power of the production, the venue, and, of course, Agatha Christie’s masterful storytelling.
As I watched, I couldn’t help but think of Something’s Afoot, a musical Agatha Christie spoof I performed in years ago. The opening number was called “We Owe It All to Agatha Christie,” and that sentiment rings true here. Christie’s genius lies in her ability to craft vivid characters while delivering thrilling twists. There’s class tension, human drama, and the British justice system on full display.
County Hall, though not quite a courtroom, certainly feels like one, creating an immersive experience where the action unfolds all around you. There’s even a VIP jury box, where you can sit for a premium ticket – and one lucky person gets to deliver the verdict as foreman! I sat next to the jury this time, and it was fascinating to watch them being briefed, sworn in, and handed little notepads. Some took their role seriously, jotting down notes, while others, let’s just say, seemed less diligent! But it adds a unique dynamic, pulling the audience deeper into the courtroom drama.
When I first saw it, I assumed the play would be rewritten to take place solely in the courtroom. However, it’s the same Witness for the Prosecution we know and love, with scenes outside the courtroom, in chambers, and elsewhere, all cleverly woven into the space. The courtroom setting naturally lends itself to drama – the barristers perform, witnesses crumble under pressure, and justice hangs in the balance.
After seven years, how does it still grip? Well, there’s a new cast, and they’re very good. The acting style? I call it the “World War One School of Acting” – curtain up, everyone over the top! The cast leans into a big, bold, high-energy style without tipping over into caricature – a perfect fit for the play’s melodramatic twists and the setting.
The captivating elements come primarily from the location and the fact that we, the audience, are seated in the gallery for the courtroom scenes. Though the jury submits their verdicts from the jury box, the play itself requires a specific outcome for the story to work. So, while there’s an illusion of interactivity, the verdict will be the same each night.
Yet, that doesn’t detract from the excitement. Audience members often react audibly to some of the twists and revelations in the witness box, and it’s delightful to see the actors playing the barristers acknowledge it. That’s the magic of live theatre. Every performance is alive, ever-changing, and that’s what keeps it fresh.
Witness for the Prosecution is a thrilling melodrama brought to life in a unique venue. The performances are strong, the setting is excellent, and Agatha Christie’s story still grips as tightly as ever.
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[Image Credit: Credit Sam Barker]
Currently booking until 28th September 2024
www.witnesscountyhall.com
info@witnesscountyhall.com
