by Claire DeMarco
Leonard Vole (Christian Benton) is on trial for the murder of Emily French, an older woman who was infatuated with Vole. French had no children. When Vole, a natural charmer was named beneficiary in her will, the circumstantial evidence pointed to Vole as the perpetrator.
Spoiler Warning:
Vole’s wife Romaine (Jenny Malarkey) agrees to testify but surprisingly not in his defense but as a witness for the prosecution. A strange turn of events! Her reasoning is to provide damning evidence against her husband that the illustrious barrister, Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Stefan Lingenfelter) can easily refute. In her mind discrediting her testimony helps Vole.
Janet Mackenzie (Erica Fox Zabusky) is the late Emily French’s companion. Her testimony points the finger at Vole.
Recently found inflammatory letters about Romaine’s background provided by an unnamed cockney woman twist the case yet again.
Does Romaine’s testimony help or hurt Vole? Is Vole innocent or guilty?
Note: If you are familiar with Agatha Christie and her work, you can always count on a twist ending. In this case there are several.
Benton captured the essence of a shallow, seemingly silly individual one would find hard to conceive as a deadly killer. His laid-back approach (even as he chews on food as the barristers question him), reinforces his naïve persona. Benton’s innocent posture changes as the mask comes off and his true nature is exposed.
Malarkey changes Romaine like a chameleon, adapting her stiff carriage and haughty conversation (with German accent) as the supportive wife to the meek spouse not so sure of her husband’s innocence.
Lingenfelter is marvelous as the barrister defending Vole. His physical movements, facial expressions and double takes are spot on. He is more relaxed than his compatriots (no tie, collar half turned up) as he prances about the stage, thinking, conjecturing about the case.
David Nackman portrays Mr. Myers as a no-nonsense prosecutor fully determined that Vole is guilty. He is shrew and focused.
Johnny Terreri as Mr. Mayhew is serious and officious as the note-taking solicitor. He is the willing sounding board to the more emotional Robarts. He is steady and thrives in the background.
Fox Zabusky as Mackenzie inserts herself into every conversation during the trial. She won’t be denied telling her side of the story (with asides). There is a modicum of humor in her delivery even when her words are directed at Vole.
Carina Iannarelli is flighty but endearing as the barristers’ secretary (with a great East End accent).
A star for all of the cast members. Prime Stage deserves an A+ for this Agatha Christie psychological mystery thriller!
Wonderful set design by Johnmichael Bohach.
Shout out to Dialect Coach Lisa Bansavage for coaching a group of American actors to successfully capture and maintain accents ranging from German to various British dialects throughout the performance.
Great direction by Ponny Conomos Jahn.
“Witness for the Prosecution” was written by Agatha Christie.
-CED
“Witness for the Prosecution” is a production of Prime Stage Theatre. Performances run from May 3 – 12 at the New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts.
