INTERVIEW: Did he do it? You decide in London’s ‘Witness for the Prosecution’
Photo: Alexandra Guelff stars as Romaine Vole in Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall. Photo courtesy of Ellie Kurttz / Provided by The Corner Shop PR with permission.
Agatha Christie, the world’s best-selling author of all time, wrote a slew of mysteries and thrillers that continue to keep dedicated readers turning the pages to the surprising finale. She was the creator of such iconic characters as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and her stories have leapt beyond the written word and graced the stages of the world as well.
The longest-running show of all time is The Mousetrap, nearing its 70th anniversary on the West End in a couple of years, and then there’s Witness for the Prosecution, which was revived a few years ago and continues to engage audiences at perhaps the most unique theater in England: London County Hall, where audience members sit like actual jury members and hear the evidence and accusations fly around the courtroom.
Witness for the Prosecution, now in its third year and booking through Sept. 13, follows the trial of one Leonard Vole, who is accused of murdering his widow in order to inherit her wealth, according to press notes. The consequences of an unsuccessful trial for Leonard will be dire: he’s sure to get the hangman’s noose.
Interestingly and sometimes distressingly, the audience is tasked with being an impartial jury, watching the drama unfold and trying to figure out — like Poirot himself — who did it and why.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Alexandra Guelff, who plays Romaine Vole. She was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has appeared on TV’s Call the Midwife, Law & Order, EastEnders, Obsession and Dark Matters. Her stage work includes The Tempest, Henry V, The Habit of Art and Gaslight. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Were you familiar with this work by Agatha Christie before taking over the role?
No, I’d grown up watching the classic TV adaptations of her Poirot stories with David Suchet, but that was her only work I knew. I loved the script of Witness for the Prosecution when I read it, and then I saw the Marlene Dietrich film and was hooked.
How do you see the character of Romaine Vole?
She’s a lot of fun, very quick-witted and wry. She can certainly be vicious — but that’s hardly surprising given that she grew up in East Berlin, and survived both Nazi and Soviet brutality, before escaping to England.
What’s it like performing this play in such a unique theatrical setting?
It’s great. Our venue is a former government debating chamber, all leather and marble and vaulted ceilings. The audience are right in the midst of the action, so you feel very connected to them. And the whole place is incredibly atmospheric.
What’s it like being so close to the audience?
I love it because it means you can do a more subtle, filmic style of acting. And you can hear all the gasps and muttering with every plot twist!
What do you feel Witness for the Prosecution says about society and the legal system?
It’s very hard for me to avoid spoilers here! I’d say it’s a very astute reflection of the fact that even the most rational and logical among us is ruled by emotion when it comes to judging others.
When did you first fall in love with theater?
My big brother went to school with Eddie Redmayne, and when I was about 8 I saw them do a production of Guys & Dolls. But because it was an all boys school Eddie played Sergeant Sarah (!), and honest to God he was so good I just wanted to be him, being her!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Witness for the Prosecution, featuring Alexandra Guelff, is now in its third year at London County Hall and booking tickets through Sept. 13. Click here for more information and tickets.
