Stourbridge Theatre Co to perform Jeffrey Archer's first play (From Stourbridge News)

Stourbridge Theatre Co to perform Jeffrey Archer's first play

6:22pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News

STOURBRIDGE Theatre Company’s next play will be best-selling author and disgraced former politician Jeffrey Archer’s Beyond Reasonable Doubt.

The company will be bringing to life Archer’s first play at Stourbridge Town Hall from Thursday March 21 to Saturday March 23, with performances starting at 7.30pm.

Written in 1987 after the general election, the play opens at the Old Bailey where Sir David Metcalfe is accused of the wilful murder of his terminally ill wife. Sir David finds himself locked in legal combat with his old rival, Anthony Blair-Booth QC.

After a gripping courtroom scene, Act I ends just as the audience is about to hear the jury's verdict; and Act 2 takes theatregoers back to the fateful night of Lady Metcalfe's death and ends with a surprising twist.

The play, which enjoyed a successful run in London's West End, with Frank Finlay and Wendy Craig in the leading roles, is being directed by Sandra Griswold, one of STC’s most seasoned directors.

She said: “This is a very challenging play to direct, particularly to bring out the tension of the brilliant writing when, in keeping with the very traditional way in which The Old Bailey conducts itself, there is little opportunity for dramatic movement or raised voices, everything must be respectful of the law. Nevertheless, I think the audience will be gripped and few will anticipate the twist on the final page of the script.”

Tickets are available from The French Deli, 1 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, online from www.stourbridgetheatrecompany.org.uk or by telephoning 01384 812812.