Witness for the Prosecution

A major 'site-specific' revival of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution in London staged in the magnificent surroundings of London County Hall

Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. The stakes are high - will Leonard survive the shocking witness testimony, will he be able to convince the jury, and you of his innocence and escape the hangman's noose.

Agatha Christie's gripping story of justice, passion and betrayal is presented in the unmissible unique courtroom setting of the London County Hall council chambers.

Directed by Lucy Bailey, with designs by William Dudley, lighting by Chris Davey and sound by Mic Pool.

Note: Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 situation, this production, which had been booking up to 13 September 2020, closed on Sunday 15 March 2020. The reopened here at London County Hall from Tuesday 14 September 2021.

Agatha Christie's stage whodunit The Mousetrap is currently playing at London's St Martin's Theatre.

When this production opened here at London County Hall in October 2017, Dominic Maxwell in the Times commented how "Lucy Bailey's revival succeeds a treat... It proves a thoroughly entertaining rejoinder to anyone who thought the stage whodunnit went out with rationing. It's atmospheric. It's an event. And it's played straight and played well by a large cast with nowhere to hide... you still need to be sympathetic to its conventions and go with some fairground-ride plot twists towards the end. Yet if it's tosh, it's terrific tosh: the setting, the playing, the plotting keep you guessing happily throughout." Michael Billington in the Guardian said that, "if Christie's play survives best, it is because it is being imaginatively staged by Lucy Bailey in the chamber of London's County Hall... Agatha Christie's play is easily her most ingenious... Convention says that TV has now appropriated this kind of Christie mystery but, when staged as cleverly as this, her plays can still work with a live audience." Sarah Hemming in the Financial Times wrote: "'Welcome to the Old Bailey' say the guards as you climb the stone steps of London's County Hall... director Lucy Bailey seizes on the potential of this august location with relish, turning in a production that is scarcely subtle but mightily enjoyable... and Bailey's site-specific staging adds an extra twist... roll with it and it is delightfully entertaining - rather aptly, a guilty pleasure." Henry Hitchings in the London Evening Standard praised how "Lucy Bailey's production relishes the conventions of courtroom drama, not least the emphasis on ritual. The disused council chamber at County Hall proves an atmospheric setting... But there's a queasy pleasure in the way it celebrates deception, and the performances are enjoyable." Dominic Cavendish in the Daily Telegraph explained that, "although derided as the last word in fuddy-duddyness, Christie retains a capacity to entertain, amuse and, crucially, unsettle... It's not the perfect murder-mystery - but thanks to fiendishly canny producing, the place as much as the melodramatic play's the thing. Though I imagine some would wish me hanged for crimes of incorrect language, I'd suggest that the old girl has dunnit again." Quentin Letts in the Daily Mail described how "County Hall's high-domed Council Chamber, with its marble plaques, noble columns and semi-circle of members' seating, has been turned into the courthouse for an enthralling revival of this 1953 play... done here with almost complete authenticity... great setting, memorable staging, pacy acting. The queen of cunning has been brilliantly served."

The original cast, from 6 October 2017 through to 25 March 2018, featured Jack Mcmullen as 'Leonard Vole', Catherine Steadman as 'Romaine Vole', Patrick Godfrey as 'Mr Justice Wainwright', David Yelland as 'Sir Wilfrid Robarts QC' and Philip Franks as 'Mr Myers QC' with Richard Attlee, Elliot Balchin, Brig Bennett, Alexandra Guelff, Miranda Horn, Jon House, Jules Melvin, Roger Ringrose, Hywel Simons and Alex Stedman.

Witness for the Prosecution in London at County Hall previewed from 6 October 2017, opened on 23 October 2017, closed on 15 March 2020, and reopens from 18 May 2021

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1953: Original West End London Production

Opened 28 October 1953 (no previews), Closed 29 January 1955 at the Winter Garden Theatre (now rebuilt as the Gillian Lynne Theatre)

The 30-strong cast included Derek Blomfield as 'Leonard Vole', Patricia Jessel as 'Romaine Vole', Percy Marmont as 'Mr Justice Wainwright', David Horne as 'Sir Wilfrid Robarts QC', D A Clarke-Smith as 'Mr Myers QC', Milton Rosmer as 'Mr Mayhew', and Jean Stuart as 'Janet MacKenzie'.

Directed by Wallace Douglas, with designs by Michael Weight.

Prior to opening in London's West End this production embarked on a four-week tour with the same cast: Nottingham Theatre Royal from Monday 28 September to Saturday 3 October 1953; Glasgow Alhambra Theatre from Monday 5 to Saturday 10 October 1953; Edinburgh Empire Theatre from Monday 12 to Saturday 17 October 1953; and Sheffield Lyceum Theatre from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 October 1953.

The Winter Garden Theatre was a 1,800-seater theatre which has since been demolished and rebuilt as the New London Theatre, now named the Gillian Lynne Theatre.