The story follows Leonard Vole, a charismatic young man who's been accused of murder. The audience are given the facts of the case, and must determine whether Vole has killed his older lady friend for her money, or is simply an innocent victim in it all who is a little too honest for his own good. Harry Chandler plays the charming but naïve Leonard Vole brilliantly. He quickly has the audience in the palm of his hands with ease, ensuring no one will go home disappointed. We're equally suspicious of the two main suspects, Janet Mackenzie, the housekeeper and Romaine Vole, Leonard's wife. Both coming across as manipulative, calculated and with their own reasons for murder.
Witness For the Prosecution has more twists and turns than a fairground ride, and you'll find yourself doubting characters you once had full faith in, and questioning your own judgement. More pieces of the puzzle are slowly fed to the audience; teasing us with just enough information to keep us engaged, but also confused as to who the killer may be. Witness For the Prosecution doesn't just feel like a play, it feels like an immersive piece of theatre. You're right in the middle of the action and can easily forget that you're not part of a real trial happening before your eyes. The atmosphere of the location is brilliantly unique, with the grandeur of the chamber itself giving the audience the sense of responsibility a jury might have felt. We are often reminded that in the case of Leonard Vole a man’s life hangs in the balance and the stakes are high, it is of course set in the days of capital punishment - will Leonard survive the shocking witness testimony, will he be able to convince the jury and the audience of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose?
If you’re an Agatha Christie fan, or just love courtroom dramas in general it would be criminal to miss this London theatre revival of this classic mystery.
Witness for the Prosecution is running until 26 April 2026 at County Hall London.
Details
- Address:
- London County Hall
- SE1 7PB
- Contact:
- https://witnesscountyhall.com/
- Transport:
- Waterloo, Embankment, Charing Cross and Westminster stations, with access to National Rail services and District, Circle, Jubilee, Northern and Bakerloo lines on London Underground. Bus routes to County Hall include the no. 211, 77 and 381