Steve Orme reviews ‘MURDER TRIAL TONIGHT III – THE DOORSTEP MURDER’ for Theatre Review:
Tales about crime, whether true or fiction, have never been more popular than they are now. The public have an almost unquenchable desire to hear stories about how victims met a scandalous end and learn whether their killer is clever enough to get away with it.
Tigerslane Studios have tapped into that with their immersive theatrical productions called Murder Trial Tonight in which members of the audience become the jury at a trial.
The third show, Murder Trial Tonight—The Doorstep Case is based on a true story which starts with a video of Megan Irvine’s last hours before she’s found strangled at home. Her husband Dale is charged with her murder.
The action moves to a courtroom where the prosecution and defence present their cases and cross-examine witnesses. The jury then deliver their verdict through a link to their mobile phone which is announced before another video is shown. That reveals what really happened—and the audience get to know whether they’ve made the correct decision.
Revealing much more about the production will spoil the outcome for anyone who might want to see it. Suffice to say, it’s a gripping show which will shock and enthral anyone with only the slightest interest in true crime. That’s in no small way down to the story’s main characters.
Ian Houghton as prosecutor Miles Cavendish KC is methodical and laid-back, probing any possible discrepancies in witnesses’ testimonies with the professionalism of a seasoned lawyer. Alex Kapila, who plays defence barrister Victoria Pelham KC, is more fiery, occasionally sarcastic yet determined to show there is only circumstantial evidence which puts her client at the scene of the murder.
Karren Winchester gives Judge Amanda Livingstone KC a fairly formidable exterior yet she is able to lighten the mood with witty interruptions. Gavin Molloy as defendant Dale Irvine gives a stirring performance of a man desperate for everyone to believe he didn’t kill his wife. When he gives his evidence, it’s so dramatic, there’s almost silence in the auditorium.
There are strong showings from Jonny Magnanti as Inspector Simon Webster, Joshua Welch (Eddie Harper) and Johanne Murdock (Sam Halloway) as the prosecution witnesses who claim Irvine isn’t the loving husband he’s supposed to be and David Calvitto as American therapist Dr Jeremy Collins III who maintains Irvine had put his problems behind him.
All the cast are credible characters who add authenticity to the show, which never becomes too legalistic or stuffy. Director Graham Watts achieves a slick production, the pace of which slackens only occasionally when complicated pieces of evidence are being debated.
On the night I saw Murder Trial Tonight—The Doorstep Case, 79% of the audience agreed on a verdict. There were gasps when it was revealed they disagreed with what the true-life jury said. And there were even more shocks when a second video wrapped up all the loose ends.
Murder Trial Tonight—The Doorstep Case has a cast of ten and a big team who produce the videos. That’s probably why tickets in the part of the auditorium I was sitting in cost £60. It’s worth every penny.
Original article here.
