Agatha Christie never seems to miss — and Witness for the Prosecution is no exception. Although a departure from her typical murder mysteries, this courtroom drama is a wonderfully delicious take on the genre that, in true Christie fashion, has the audience guessing through the final moments.
As an avid mystery reader, I love the feeling of “catching” the right person before the final reveal. But what I enjoy even more is getting it all wrong. The surprise of being mistaken morphs into an excitement to figure out which red herring led me astray. Hearing the crowd loudly announce their verdict for the defendant in Witness was great, but hearing the gasps when we found out we made the wrong call was even better. Christie’s mastery with words extends to her innate understanding of the human mind — specifically what makes us trust the people and the stories we hear. It’s no surprise that at least two other theaters in the DMV are also presenting her plays this season.
Adapted from her short story “Traitor’s Hands,” Witness for the Prosecution takes audiences into the courtroom as the case for Leonard Vole unfolds. Young, simple, and naive, Leonard stands accused of the murder of Emily French, a rich older woman whom he had befriended. Seemingly unaware that he was married, Miss French had made Leonard her principal heir, casting doubt on their friendship and giving him a rather large motive for murder. When his wife, Romaine, agrees to testify in court, she does so on the part of the prosecution, rather than in defense of her husband. This twist accompanies shocking witness testimonies, impassioned outbursts from both sides of the witness stand, and a few well-placed jokes about the murder victim’s eight cats, raising the stakes higher and higher as Leonard fights to escape the hangman’s noose.
Bowie Community Theatre’s production is led by Jared Sever as Leonard Vole and Nadia Palacios as Romaine Heilger. These two performers are pure powerhouses, electrifying the stage each time they appear. Sever’s performance of the daft defendant is incredibly charming; it’s nigh impossible not to believe every word that comes out of his mouth. He handles moments of betrayal with sincerity and finds the most opportune moments to slip in some well-timed comedic relief. Palacios dominates the stage as Leonard’s double-crossing wife, Romaine. She truly is “a remarkable woman,” slipping effortlessly from devoted spouse to strategic mastermind, playing her own game of chess and placing everyone in check long before they realize it. Every moment Sever and Palacios shared the stage was riveting, especially a particularly sharp twist in Act Three.
Jerry Gietka’s Sir Wilfrid Robarts and Paul Ballard’s Myers serve as delightful foils to one another within the courtroom. As the attorneys for the defendant and the prosecution respectively, Gietka and Ballard bounce barbs back and forth as they question the witnesses for the trial. And special note should also be given to Stacy Kessler’s strong performance of Janet Mackenzie, the late Miss French’s chatty Irish housekeeper. The entire cast works well together, creating a strong ensemble led by Sever, Palacios, Gietka, and Ballard.
Dan Lavanga’s set design leans heavily into the world of naturalism; the two locations are realistic representations of an English courtroom and an attorney’s chambers. Linda Swann’s costumes are befitting the 1950s, with high-waisted suits for the gentlemen and flared silhouettes for the women. Alan Barnett’s direction smartly places the audience into the seats of the jurors, with attorneys, witnesses, and the defendant playing directly out past the apron. I would have personally preferred a bit more dynamic movement and consistent playing to the jury/audience throughout, but I understand and appreciate the choice to present a more realistic courtroom environment on stage.
Overall, Bowie Community Theatre’s Witness for the Prosecution is a solid production led by a group of phenomenal performers. The final twist is handled with the utmost care — and that communal gasp from the audience at the reveal is worth the trip out to the Bowie Playhouse.
Running Time: Three hours including two intermissions (15 and 10 minutes).
Witness for the Prosecution plays on weekends (excluding Thanksgiving weekend) through December 15, 2024, presented by Bowie Community Theatre performing at Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Dr., Bowie, MD. Purchase tickets ($25, general; $20, seniors and students) online, by phone at the BCT Hotline at 301-805-0219, or by email (boxoffice@bctheatre.com) prior to the performance date.
COVID Safety: Masks are optional but encouraged for all guests.
Witness for the Prosecution
Written by Agatha Christie
Directed by Alan Barnett
CAST
Greta/Barrister/The Girl: Maria Mitiuriev
Carter/Clegg/Barrister: Bill Fellows
Mayhew: Jason Braswell
Leonard Vole: Jared Sever
Sir Wilfrid Robarts: Jerry Gietka
Inspector Hearne: Jack Mayo
Detective/Dr. Wyatt/ Policeman: Chris Wargo
Romaine Heilger: Nadia Palacios
Mr. Justice Wainwright: David Robinson
Myers: Paul Ballard
Usher: Sophie Barnet-Higgins
Janet Mackenzie: Stacy Kessler
Woman: Diana Calapios
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producers: Alan & Penni Barnett
Director: Alan Barnett
Stage Manager: Penni Barnett
Intimacy Choreographer: Emily Sucher
Set Designer: Dan Lavanga
Dialect Coach: Alden Michels
Costume Designer: Linda Swann
Hair & Makeup Designer: Rebecca Kotraba
Set Dresser/Decorator: Penni Barnett
Properties Designer: Penni Barnett
Sound Designer: Fred Nelson
Lighting Design: Bowie Playhouse Staff
