Witness For the Prosecution Review - London County Hall
(Ad, press invite: I was invited to watch this show in return for an honest review)
As a big fan of live theatre, I was very excited to receive an invite to watch my very first Agatha Christie play: Witness for the Prosecution.
Originally published as a short story named Traitor's Hands, Witness for the Prosecution was later adapted into a play by Christie herself. The County Hall based show is now running into its seventh year, having received high praise from critics and theatregoers alike.
The story follows a gripping murder trial, as a young man is tried for the killing of a wealthy older woman. The show features a cast of characters including the accused Leonard Vole, his German wife, a cantankerous housekeeper, and the courthouse judge and barristers. The jury is comprised of several audience members, and it’s their job to decide if Leonard is innocent or guilty.
The play begins with an electric courthouse scene, performed in slow motion with dramatic lighting that had me on the edge of my seat. From there the scenes mostly flip between the defence barrister’s office and the courtroom, with clever use of props and staging showing the difference between the two.
One of the things that immediately drew me to this play was its unique setting. Witness for the Prosecution is performed in London’s County Hall, inside a historic octagonal Council Chamber. It’s a grand setting that easily resembles what I imagine a courtroom to look like, creating the feeling that the audience members are sat in the actual setting of the play. It’s a unique way to engage with a show, and makes for a very immersive experience.
I found the plot itself to be gripping and portrayed with superb acting that plunged the audience into the intensity of the story. I didn’t predict the ending either, and found myself guessing whether the accused was innocent or guilty throughout the show. The lighting was also well utilised for dramatic effect, and really added to the emotion of the scenes.
Ticket prices
As with other theatre shows, ticket prices vary depending on the seats. For those on a budget, plenty of tickets are usually available in the gallery for £19.
In contrast, VIP tickets in the jury seats can cost around £150, although these do sell out fast. We were sat in row C of the stalls on the left hand side, which had an excellent view and usually costs around £85 each.
You can purchase tickets directly from the theatre on their website here.
How to find the theatre
The County Hall is located just a 10 minute walk from London Waterloo station, which is served by a variety of trains and underground lines. London bus services are also available.
The full address for the theatre is: London County Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 7PB
Let me know if you’ve seen the show, and whether or not you guessed the verdict! For tickets and more information, visit the Witness for the Prosecution website here.
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