Witness for the Prosecution - London County Hall - Review

Leonard Vole: handsome, charming and an all-around nice young man just simply trying to get by in life. But now he finds himself standing in the dock, accused of murder. Emily French, a wealthy spinster, has been found dead in her home, the exact home Leonard has been visiting on a regular basis having formed a friendship with the older woman, but he insists that he is innocent. He stands in the dock as experts, Ms French’s housekeeper and even his own wife Romaine are called to the witness box, and it is up to Sir Wilfred Robarts Q.C to prove that innocence in court, up against Crown Prosecutor Mr Myers Q.C.

Written by Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime herself, ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ has been delighting audiences for nine years both with its twists and turns that keep you guessing from start to finish, and with its unique immersive setting as you witness this court room drama play out in London County Hall’s Council Chamber, complete with judges stand and its very own Lady Justice.

Although it is, of course, ‘The Mousetrap’ that boasts the title of longest running play in the world, that whodunnit wasn’t actually Christie’s favourite. No, it was ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ she called her favourite. And this clever, intricately woven tale only goes to show why she had that queen of crime title. No one can weave a tale like she could, stories where each character has their own role to play, all as important as the last, stories that keep you on the edge of your seat and make you a detective yourself.

As the story unfolds and Leonard’s story is deeply investigated through a number of witnesses and lawyer back and forths, you will keep guessing. One moment you will think that you have it all worked out, then it flips, with curveball after curveball turning everything upside down. And whilst there have been a number of screen adaptations of this Christie classic (unlike with ‘The Mousetrap’), the secret is not as closely guided. But audience members are still asked to respect the court and keep the secret, so I can’t talk about the story too much in risk of letting spoilers slip.

Owen Warner plays the rarely off-stage Leonard Vole, captivating and commanding. His interactions with Simon Cotton as Sir Wildred Robarts, Michael Mears as Mr Myers and Eleanor Sutton as Romaine are believable and clever, with every moment teasing another direction in which the plot and the court case could go. The court room banter, at times brutal and at others comical, between Cotton and Mears as defence and prosecutor becomes the centre piece as the two men, both as passionate and as clever as the other, battle it out. Romaine is dramatic, elegant, poised and fiery, with Sutton creating a character of mystery who captures every drop of the audience’s attention every time she is on stage.

William Dudley’s clever set design transforms the former council chamber into a grand and atmospheric courtroom, with a simple wooden beam becoming the dock opposite the real judge’s desk (where David Whitworth looms over the action with an all-knowing glance as Mr Justice Wainwright). For scenes that take place away from the court room, cosy furnishing and plush rugs are brought in by ensemble members, who flawlessly timed and choreographed, it all flows very beautifully. Adding to the immersive factor of the production, witness are called in from the corridors surrounding the chambers, and speakers scattered around the space play subtle notes such as keys rattling below and footsteps in the hallways, surrounding you and keeping you utterly in the action from start to end.

‘Witness for the Prosecution’ is wickedly clever, wonderfully captivating and altogether engaging as it weaves a dramatic tale, the story unravelling and everything being revealed in a way in which you will be guessing one second and then doubting your choices the next. And witnessing it all unfold in such an incredible setting simply adds to the enjoyment factor of it all. A must see for fans of the whodunnit.