Guilty or Not Guilty? Priory Theatre sets the scene for Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution

Neil Bain as Mr Myers Q.C. as the trial gets underway. Photo by Steve Vent.

Witness for the prosecution by Agatha Christie at the Priory Theatre, Kenilworth from 20 – 30 May 2026. Directed by Mike Brooks.

Review by Ann Evans

Agatha Christie fans are in their element this week as the Priory Theatre presents  Witness For The Prosecution, a courtroom drama where a young man faces the gallows if found guilty of murder.

A wealthy, elderly widow, Emily French has been found murdered at her home, killed by a blow to the back of the head. Unfortunately for unemployed Leonard Vole (Ben Wellicome) he had befriended her a few weeks earlier and was the last person to see her alive. When it’s disclosed that he has been named as the beneficiary in her newly re-written Last Will & Testament, it’s enough circumstantial evidence for him to be arrested. And Inspector Hearne (Des King) does just that.

Defending Vole is a team of barristers - Sir Wilfred Roberts (Kevin Coughlan) assisted by Mr Mayhew (Phillip Leigh) and Carter (Rob Warnes). The prosecution is Mr Myers Q.C. (Neil Bain). And presiding over the High Court trial is Justice Wainwright (Mike Young).

Ben Wellicome as Leonard Vole. Photo by Steve Vent.

While all the evidence seems to be pointing accusing fingers at Leonard Vole, in true Agatha Christie style, there are other possibilities. Her live-in companion, Janet Mackenzie (Shelley Strelluf) was the previous beneficiary of Emily French’s valuable estate before Leonard Vole came onto the scene. And it’s her word that places Voles at the scene at the time of the murder. Possibly she was mistaken – or possibly she was lying and had murdered Emily French herself out of anger.

Then there is Romaine (Katie-Anne Ray), Vole’s wife, a foreigner as it’s often pointed out – a Russian in fact, so can she be trusted? She’s provided her husband with an alibi, but then in court changes her story. What is the jury supposed to believe? But the relationship reveals itself to be more complicated – is she really Vole’s wife or is she still married to a man back in Russia?

In court, there’s no love lost between the two barristers, Sir Wilfred Roberts and Mr Myers Q.C. as they object to the other one’s questions time and again in order to get the upper hand; battling to prove who is telling the truth and who is lying as witnesses take the stand.

Carter (Rob Warnes) and Mr Mayhew (Phillip Leigh). Photo by Steve Vent.

As for Leonard Voles, he continues to plead his innocence – he liked Emily French, he can’t stress that enough! His heart is broken however, when his wife changes her story, ruins his alibi and professes to not even being Vole’s wife – plus she's in love with someone else.

The arrival of a mystery woman with new evidence provides a new twist to the tale and dramatic scenes in court. No spoilers although the ending is different to what Agatha Christie originally wrote. So, if you think you know the ending – you may not!

The play is set in two scenes – the offices of the defending barristers, where the men are waited on by their less than efficient secretary, Greta (Lillia Southcott). She is convinced that Leonard Voles is innocent – based on the fact that he seems so nice.

Mr Mayhew (Phillip Leigh) and Sir Wilfred Roberts (Kevin Coughlan). Photo by Steve Vent.

With an air of Yes Minister, the grey walled office with its sparse, sturdy furniture certainly has the atmosphere of a barrister’s office, and Sir Wilfred, Mr Mayhew and Carter all play their roles well and certainly look and act the part. But far from being stuffy. There’s plenty of humour to lighten the plot.

The other scene is the High Court of Justice, which is very impressive and imposing, so well done Mike Brooks for designing the set and the team of set builders for a most realistic courtroom. The Judge and two courtroom officials (Charlotte Faulconbridge and Liz Young) sit on high; Justice Wainwright in his robes and wig plays his role with pompous authority befitting of a judge, but also delightfully funny with his naïve one-liners. And the Court Usher (Geoff Barker-Mountford) shuffles determinedly about his duties making sure the witnesses such as Mr Clegg (Ernie Boxall) and Dr Wyatt (Paul Sanders) tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

Katie-Anne Ray as Romaine and Kevin Coughlan as Sir Wilfred Roberts. Photo by Steve Vent.

The prosecution and defence barristers have that aura and confidence as they question the witnesses, the only slight hiccup which was probably down to opening night nerves was that a couple of the actors forgot their lines on quite a few occasions, which did make you feel for them and distract you from being fully immersed in the story. That aside it was a very enjoyable production.

As for the verdict on whether the jury find Voles guilty or not guilty – I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to comment! However, as mentioned earlier, there’s an ending that you may not have been expecting. And between you and me – neither did Leonard Voles.

Shelley Strelluf as Janet Mackenzie. Photo by Steve Vent.

Director Mike Brooks is a huge fan of Agatha Christie and has previously worked on a number of her plays. He said, "There's something magical about bringing her characters and her plots to life on stage, and I'm beyond excited to share this experience with all of you." He went on to comment of how hard everyone has worked, behind the scenes and of course the cast, with special mention to Connor Cunningham, Stage Manager. Mike added: “Rehearsals have been full of laughter and great fun, with a real sense of everyone supporting one another, which is exactly what the Priory is all about.”

For tickets to Witness for the Prosecution, please go to: Witness For The Prosecution — Priory Theatre