The Verdict By Barry Reed At The Mayflower Southampton Review

Reviewed by Hannah S-W

We …. The members of the jury…… find the defendant ……

ORDER … ORDER …. ORDER IN THE COURT

I was very excited to have the opportunity to watch The Verdict by Barry Reed starring Jason Merrells, best known for his work in Casualty and Emmerdale. The show started promptly at 19:30 with approximately a 20 minute interval after about an hour and a quarter, which was ample to allow a quick refreshment / comfort break. The show length is approximately 2 hours 40 mins (including the interval)

We were seated in seats C24 and C25, which were located quite near the front of the theatre, but nearing the middle, which gave a brilliant view of the stage and we could see everything and I was excited to sit back and enjoy the show as I almost felt like I was onstage with the actors.

If you like courtroom drama then The Verdict is a show for you. Originally written as a novel by American lawyer Barry Reed in 1980 it was adapted for film and then later to a stage production and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.

As the audience filter in to take their seats the curtain rises, and the show starts the scene setting early with an Frank Galvin on the stage moving around their office and sirens in the background. Boston lawyer Frank Galvin who is presented with a case that he soon realises could rejuvenate his career if he plays his cards right.

Set in the 70s the case Frank is presented with centres around a young woman, Debbie, who has unfortunately been left in a vegetative state after a medical procedure goes wrong during childbirth at one of the main Catholic hospitals in the city. The woman’s mother wants to take the hospital to court to gain financial compensation from them to ensure that she can give her daughter better care then she can provide. But in doing so it does mean that she has to take on the medical profession and the Church as well – not a small challenge by any stretch of the imagination.

After looking in to the case further Frank realises that this is a malpractice case and that the clinical staff and doctors are to blame for the young woman’s situation. The difficulty he then faces is proving this in court when he is up against one of the best defence attorneys going and a judge who is biased. All of this is coupled with Frank’s own personal problems at home with his other half and reliance on alcohol.

The set detailing in the first half shows Frank at both his office and local bar, and the second half a lavish court room. Seamless set changes are seen from the theatre hands which helps completely immerse the viewer in to the story with no disruption. It is quite apparent that the set has had an immense amount of thought and care I put to it. With a large cast of that all obviously work incredibly hard to really bring this courtroom drama to life in front of your very eyes. It’s incredible to see the story unfold and move from set to set with no issues at all.

The actors all brought an American courtroom to life maintaining the Boston accent from start to finish – not an easy feat for most UK actors. The costumes were representative of 70s suits and would very much be a nostalgic walk down memory lane for those born in the 50s and 60s. The show didn’t turn a blind eye to the sexism and racism that would have been seen in that era either. During the second half the courtroom drama peaked and flowed effortlessly with the cast creating real dimensions of arguments, thoughts and objections once again making it feel like you were part of the jury following the case awaiting to give your verdict.

The pace of the story is good and holds the viewers attention throughout certainly peaking in the second half. The story canters along with a few twists and turns along the way and the audience on the night that I went were engaged they audibly gasped at some of the plot turns….. I recommend you come along and see the show to find out what The Verdict is for Frank and the poor Debbie.

Tickets started from £15.00 at the Mayflower website here.

Rating: I would give the show a 4/5. The Verdict by Barry Reed is at the Mayflower from the 18th -22nd July

Mayflower Theatre
Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1GE
Box Office: 02380 711811