REVIEW: WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION

17 minutes ago
3 min read

The Agatha Christie theatre stalwart and afternoon tea are a combination to die for

The mood is set before the special Gala performance of Agatha Christie's gripping, Witness for the Prosecution, with a fittingly Cluedo-esque, Champagne afternoon tea at the grand Library in the five star, London County Hall Marriott Hotel.

Was it Professor Plum in The Library with a finger sandwich?

We don't know, but the stunning views of the Big Ben and glittering Thames through the sun-drenched windows are to die for, and so are the immaculately presented cakes.

The Library Afternoon Tea

Nestled between original oak bookcases in the beautiful and historic space, we begin with truffled egg and chive brioche buns and caramelised onion and goat’s cheese tartlets.

These are joined by a selection of delicious finger sandwiches filled with coronation chicken with mango chutney; pickled cucumber, cream cheese and dill; or cured salmon and caper butter on beetroot bread.

The stars of this show are the sweet treats, presided over by a pink, lime and orange recreation of the Big Ben outside our window, alongside a dreamy rhubarb, gooseberry and custard syllabub; a lemon, elderflower and blueberry cheesecake and fluffy, red velvet scone.

We wash these down with Louis Pommery bubbles and attack their freshly baked buttermilk scones - the sweet basil scones pair beautifully with the Tiptree lemon curd, and there are excellent golden raisin scones with clotted cream and jam for the traditionalists.

Witness for the Prosecution

The Library is adjacent to the Chamber Room, where Witness for the Prosecution is staged, so it’s a short totter from our table to the show, which is celebrating its extension until 25 April 2027, taking the acclaimed production into its tenth year.

We have been summoned for jury service at this spine-tingling adaptation, which takes place in a stunning, octagonal, and wood panelled courtroom - once a real debating chamber - with the audience playing the role of jurors in this high stake murder trial.

It’s an enthralling, immersive story of justice, passion and betrayal, loaded with atmosphere, suspense, and Christie’s legendary plot twists, leaving us endlessly questioning whether Leonard Vole is guilty of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth.

Vole befriends a wealthy old lady and is the sole benefactor of her will following a murder - the same night he is seen with blood on his clothes.

His cold and calculating wife turns against him on the witness stand, and Vole seems sure to face the hangman’s noose that we ominously see in action, in the opening scene.

Prosecution and defence appeal to us and the judge as they cross-examine witnesses and the endless plot twists unfurl around us.

There are stand-out performances from Owen Warner as the puppy-eyed Vole; Simon Cotton as his flamboyant defence, Sir Wilfrid Robarts QC, and the brilliantly villainous Eleanor Sutton as Vole’s complex wife, Romaine.

Real audience members finally deliver our verdict - but what is it?

You’ll have to watch this unmissable show to find out - preferably after The Library afternoon tea, or you’ll spit out your Earl Grey at the final twist.

Witness for the Prosecution, County Hall, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7GP. Until 25 April 2027
Afternoon Tea at The Library, London County Hall Marriott Hotel, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB. £85/pp with glass of Louis Pommery sparkling wine