It was good to be back reviewing at Malvern again last night and to see not only the acclaimed courtroom drama ‘The Verdict’ but also how the building of the new foyer to the main house was coming on.
I am pleased to report that the play was an enthralling watch and the renovations are almost ready for ribbon cutting.
The Verdict first appeared as a novel written and set in 1980 Boston by Barry Reed, who also had a career as a lawyer.
It was adapted for film by no less a talent than David Mamet and starred Paul Newman and James Mason.
This new adaptation for the stage is by Margaret May Hobbs and is being toured by Middle Ground Theatre Company. This is large cast production that does not contain a weak link in the company and whilst it is quite long, the action never lags.
Jason Merrells – who plays the drunken, washed-up Boston lawyer Frank Galvin – is on stage when you enter the auditorium. He lives in his office where we watch him wash, shave and dress like someone from hostel.
Apart from one short scene Merrells never leaves the stage till the walkdown in a tour-de-force of a performance.
Frank is offered a case which he knows could either put him on easy street where he could lead the lounge-lizard lifestyle – or it could break him.
A young woman has been left in a vegetative state after a medical procedure goes wrong during childbirth at one of the big Catholic hospitals in the city. Her mother wants justice and compensation to give her better care. The church offers her a three hundred thousand dollar settlement and Frank a cushy job in the church legal department.
In a moment of self-awakening whilst visiting the girl in hospital, Frank decides to take on the might of the Boston medical fraternity plus the Catholic Church itself.
He is up against one of the best defence attorneys in the State of Massachusetts and a biased judge It also seems his marriage is on the rocks and he seeks solace in a beautiful barmaid with a hidden agenda.
The scene is set for blistering legal yarn of two halves – the first being the act one build up where we get drawn straight into the plot and meet some engaging players like Frank’s aging mentor Moe Katz (Vincent Pirillo) and Bishop Brophy (Richard Walsh). Let’s not forget Irish bar owner Eugene Meehan played by Michael Lunney who also directs and designs – a three times talented outing.
The second half in act two is set in the courtroom where we, the audience, are members of the jury. We also meet amongst other talents the ubiquitous defence attorney J Edgar Concannon (Nigel Barber), Judge Eldredge Sweeney (Richard Walsh) and Dr Rexford Towler (Jason Wilson)
It’s in the courtroom where Merrells really shines as Frank as he finds the inner strength to seek to achieve the impossible and takes us with him all the way.
Rarely do we get to see such engaging drama on stage and I urge you to get along to Malvern this week whilst you have opportunity.
The Verdict runs at Malvern Theatres until Saturday, June 10. Click here for times, tickets and more information.
