THE LAW takes centre stage in Learned Friends at Warwick’s historic former courts next month.
The new play penned by Warwickshire writer Ginny Davis has echoes of Twelve Angry Men and is set behind the scenes of a criminal court. Prosecution and defence counsel await the jury’s verdict.
Dramatic revelations threaten friendships, careers and the true course of justice as two high powered professional women fight for what matters most to them in adversarial conflict.
Davis, a former barrister who is previously known for her comedic one woman plays about modern family life, depicts a wholly different world lifting the shroud of secrecy surrounding machinations of criminal proceedings and answering questions frequently put to barristers – How can opposing court advocates be friends? Can a guilty man be defended?
Davis performs alongside Sharon Baylis, who has appeared in The Bill, Emmerdale, and Juliet Bravo, in the play directed by
Michael Bott, whose previous credits include work at the RSC and the National Theatre.
Supporting roles will be performed by members of Kenilworth’s Talisman Theatre.
Audiences will gain sense of participation in the dramatic criminal proceeding during the court scenes which are performed in a former court of the Northgate Street building which still houses original antique courtroom furniture.
At the start of each performance audiences will hear a historical introduction. Afterwards, tours of the cells and dungeon will be offered for a small charge.
There will be two performances on Sunday November 29, at 3pm and 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £14 (£12 concessions), are available from www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk, or in person from Leamington Town Hall.
Preview performances can be seen at Wellesbourne Village Hall on November 21 and 22.
Tickets, priced £8.50, are available by calling 01789 842832 or in person from Justina, Bridge Street, Wellesbourne (cash or cheque only).
