Ralegh: The Treaon Trial (Winchester and Sam Wanamaker)

[David J]

Interesting production

A verbatim reproduction of the 1603 trial of Sir Walter Ralegh for treason

Watching this in the Great Hall in Winchester where the trial took place. Runs for 2 hours like an actual trial with an jnterval where a jury of picked audience members go off to decide

Takes a while to get going due to the nature of the piece as we go through the formalities and listen to the evidence. But things really pick up once Simon Paisley Day starts to give an impassioned defence for his life as Ralegh against Nathalie Armin as the petulant attourney

[altamont]

Myself and Mrs A were also in attendance this afternoon - both as part of the jury - Mrs A being the foreman. You actually need to book those tickets in advance - they aren't picked on the day of the performance.

As the jury we were briefed on our responsibilities beforehand and also guided by the clerk of the court in the 15 minute period for us to decide on our verdict - it was stressed that we were to put aside our thoughts about the modern system of justice and decide our verdict on the basis of the law as presented in the course of the trial. It did make for a very interesting experience and convinced both of us that we'd really rather not serve on an actual jury.

Briefly chatted to Michelle Terry in the Great Hall shop afterwards.

[lynette]

What an interesting experience. I’m so sorry to miss this as I can’t fit it in . But I hope they repeat the idea , maybe with other historicals.