Witness for the Prosecution’s murder/ mystery tailored plot unfolds through the ongoing court case. The accused is Leonard Vole; heir to the murder victim, Emily French, a wealthy older woman. Testifying as a witness for the prosecution is his wife, Romai
they’d like to meet in reality.
Playing Mr. Myers, QC, the Crown prosecutor is Ahamed Ilham Nizam Kariapper. The 23-year-old law student, laughs that he has always been told he has a dramatic flair so stepping into the shoes of Myers- a prosecutor in his mid-thirties is easy enough, but Ilham also adds his own natural spirit and humour to the ‘youngish’ lawyer who is up against his role model- Sir Wilfrid Robarts, QC, senior counsel for the accused. An “irritating gentleman”, Myers adds the sprinkling of humour and irony through his somewhat caricatured character as an overeager, constantly wig adjusting young lawyer.
Sir Wilfrid Robarts, QC, on the other hand is a stark contrast to Myers’ youthful charm. When first given the role “I thought the play would be boring,” says Damithu Surasena candidly but he was soon drawn in by the characters’ cunning and psychological games. A veteran lawyer “who usually wins all his cases” even Sir Wilfred will find himself caught in the complicated web that evolves throughout the play.
Playing Mr. Mayhew, the solicitor for the accused, Punarjith Waidyatilleke is another young lawyer, striving to be the next Sir Wilfred. With a dash of comedy and dialogue steeped in suspense, they are looking forward to playing with the audience’s minds as well as Christie did with her characters.
For Sachintha Randil Perera, the play is a throwback to the Sherlock Holmes stories he grew up reading. One of the youngest members in the cast, Sachintha is an experienced actor in the Sinhala drama circle from his schooldays at Ananda College. In this production he takes on the role of Inspector Hearne, the arresting officer. Much like Inspector Lestrade from the Sherlock Holmes legacy, Hearne is consistently suspicious of everyone and convinced of Leonard’s guilt.
Watching the suspenseful plot unravel from his bird’s eye view at the bench is Mayuka Daham Pathirana (22) who plays Justice Wainright, the Judge presiding over the case. The Judge is more sympathetic to Romaine seeing Leonard more as “naïve and childish”. His role allows him to watch the story unfold, with its typically Christie appeal and subtle banter. It was a reason why he suggested the script in the first place. A lover of Agatha Christie’s works, “I suggested we do something more legally inclined” he said and found the play in a collection of her works, little knowing that they would be breathing new life into an old favourite of the Sri Lanka Law College.
The Sri Lanka Law College presents “Witness for the Prosecution” on March 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. at the Namel Malani Punchi Theatre, Borella. Tickets priced at Rs. 1000, 750 and 500 will be available at Sri Lanka Law College and at the entrance. For ticket details call 0770700634 (Rs. 750 and 500) or 0712180676 (Rs. 1000).