I confess, I was not looking forward to seeing The Verdict, a courtroom drama which is currently performing at The Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. Preferring musicals and lighter entertainment, the thought of sitting through a two-hour show, which on paper seemed rather dry, did not thrill me with enthusiasm.
A gripping and enthralling drama
How wrong my early anticipations turned out to be. The Verdict is a gripping and enthralling drama which will have your attention truly focused. Admittedly the first half is a tad overlong (it could do with a few snips here and there) but the second half of the show, where the real courtroom drama begins, is where The Verdict really comes into its own.
The courtroom thriller has been adapted for the stage from the Oscar winning 1982 film which starred Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling and James Mason with this new touring production.
Frank Galvin (Jason Merrells) is a washed-up middle-aged lawyer living in Boston in the early 1980s. A Second World War veteran, his marriage is in a mess, and he is a big drinker. He is given one last chance to redeem himself when he is presented with a medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win.
Up against established medical professionals and the powerful Catholic church, he refuses an out of court settlement and instead decides to take the case to court – does he win? You will have to go and see the show yourselves to find that out!
The Verdict – a guilty pleasure
Merrells is known for his roles in TV programmes such as Emmerdale, Happy Valley and Waterloo Road. He fitted into the role as Frank Galvin with ease, as a struggling lawyer who has something to prove. His description of being an alcoholic did not always come into play though – apart from seeing him occasionally drinking from a whisky bottle, you would have been hard pressed to know of his condition. But that reflects the hidden nature of this illness, so perhaps was a good choice of direction in the context of The Verdict.
The first half of the show takes place in Galvin’s office and the Irish bar Meehans, run by Eugene Meehan (Michael Lunney). This is where Galvin meets a young barmaid Donna St Laurent (Reanne Farley) – though she is not all that she seems, which provides a sting in the tale at the end of the show.
There were strong performances from Richard Walsh as Bishop Brophy and Vincent Pirillo as Moe Katz – Galvin’s older business partner who both played convincing roles. Okon Jones, who played hire-a-doctor Lionel Thompson MD, brought some much-needed humour to the second half of the show. His comical lines added a lighter touch to the courtroom proceedings making you wonder what he was going to say next!
Catch it at the Bradford Alhambra
The Verdict is at times funny, definitely warm and slightly heart-breaking but above all it is about the underdog seeking redemption.
After seeing the show my verdict is that this a compelling drama that I could easily recommend. Thrilling stuff indeed.
The Verdict, Bradford Alhambra – runs until Saturday 1July 2023, then Guildford, Oxford and Southampton.
