Review of Witness For The Prosecution (Theatre Mill)

For the first time in 2014, 51 years after its London debut, Witness for the Prosecution got its first site specific performance. 

Theatre Mill

This stunning and thrilling performance of Agatha Christie's courtroom drama was set in the York Guildhall, and gives the audience the chance to be a part of the action. I was very privileged to watch this masterpiece be performed in its full splendor in the historic York Guildhall courtroom. There were some many good things about this adaptation. Firstly, the plot. Witness For The Prosecution began its life as a short story written by Agatha Christie in a collection of short stories called The Hound of Death. It had such an appeal that she decided to adapt it for the stage; its debut performance was in 1953 in London. It also made the basis for a successful 1950's movie starring Marlene Dietrich as Mrs Vole. The stage ending is different to the short story ending, as Agatha Christie, being of a moral disposition, wanted to make the murderer pay for their crimes. I have to say, watching it for the first time, I was tricked!

The courtroom setting was one of things that made this performance so good. From the moment you walked through the doors, you were greeted by a policeman asking "Are you here for the trial?". Once you entered the magnificent court, the clerk invited you in and asked you to stand as the judge entered. This made you really feels as if you were watching a real trial, something a stage just cannot do. At some points, you forgot that this was a fictional play, and not a real trial of a man.

The cast was superb. Everyone was excellent. Andrew Dowbiggin  gave a convincing performance as Leonard Vole, so much so that you forgot that he wasn't really a man on trial for his life. Rachel Logan was wonderful as Romaine Vole, one of the major characters, she was great in the role. David Bowen was great as Sir Wilfred, and had a lot of funny moments and good interactions with Mr Mayhew, brilliantly played by Adam Elms. Everyone in the cast gave a solid performance.

I have to say that Theatre Mill have done a spectacular job with this performance of Witness For The Prosecution , it is definitely the best Agatha Christie play I have ever seen. It was great to see it in in the York Guildhall, the courtroom setting made you feel as if you were in a courtroom, that along with the excellent lighting. I recommend you go and see it before it is over, as you wouldn't want to miss out on this stunning site specific performance.

Witness For The Prosecution is on at the York Guildhall Council Chambers from 2nd - 20th April.