AGATHA CHRISTIE’s Witness for the Prosecution

Arrested for the murder of a wealthy older woman, Leonard Vole is the principal suspect.  His wife, an enigmatic chorus girl, can testify to prove his innocence but will she take the stand as a witness for the prosecution instead?

Agatha Christie’s suspense filled courtroom play, Witness for the Prosecution, will celebrate Sandyford Little Theatre 90^th Anniversary.

The show has been thrilling audiences with its themes of justice and betrayal since its opening night in 1953.  Christie claimed it was ‘the only first night I have enjoyed,’ going on to say, ‘I was happy, radiantly happy, and made even more so by the applause of the audience.’ The play has often been credited as the favourite of all her theatre work.  The first production then for 423 performances and it is running in the London West End still.

A 1957 film of the play, directed by Billy Wilder, was nominated for several Academy Awards, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes (including best movie, actress, actor, and director).

REVIEWS

“An ingenious and absorbing murder thriller with more than the usual share of comedy.’ (Daily Mail, 1953)

“Christie’s bravura twisty plotting is still second to none… it’s criminally entertaining.” (Daily Telegraph, 2023)

“Agatha Christie is synonymous with ingenious plotting — a talent for wrong-footing even the shrewdest amateur detective, [and] Witness for the Prosecution is typically crafty.” (Evening Standard, 2017)

“Few are as good as Christie, her narratives are like spring traps” (Time Out 2022)

“If this is tosh, it’s terrific tosh: keeps you guessing happily throughout. An Agatha Christie classic ” (The Times, 2023)