The Verdict

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – The Verdict

Playwright– From the novel by Barry Reed, adapted for the stage by Margaret May Hobbs

Production Company/Theatre space – The Playhouse / Vertigo Theatre

Length – 2 Acts, 2 hours 40 minutes (one intermission)

Genre/s – Drama

Premise – After visiting the bedside of a once vital woman who is trapped in a rapidly deteriorating body, an alcoholic lawyer decides to reject the offer of compensation from the Catholic church and try for justice in court for a five-million-dollar payout.

Why this play? Why now? – This play trades on name recognition of the Oscar winning 1980 film starring Paul Newman.  

Curiosities – After 50 years of producing a mix of mystery, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, musicals is “Canada’s National Theatre for Mystery and Intrigue” producing dramas now? If Vertigo is doing these types of play, can we please have Race by Mamet?

Notable Moment – The mouthwash.

Notable writing – When it was written in 1980, this sort of story predated the plethora of TV courtroom dramas and medical crime shows. Audiences are much savvier and au fait with the jargon of the genre, so the over explaining of details slows the machine down. The film was brilliantly written by David Mamet. Though currently in cultural political exile, his style would have benefited the play’s dialogue.

Notable performances – Shaun Smyth drives the engine of this play. Smyth is one of this nation’s best actors. If this was Broadway he would have to sign autographs outside every night, but it’s Canada and we don’t laud our best as we should. Smyth as the central lawyer is joined in court with the stalwart opposing council Joel Cochrane and irascible judge Duval Lang. A great trifecta. Standouts in this cast of ten include Kira Bradley, Christopher Clare, and Dov Mickelson.

Notable design/Production – Following her first class sets in The Wizard of Oz and Wildwoman, Set Designer Narda McCarroll completes her hat trick of the season.

Notable direction – The evidence says Jack Grinhaus deftly balances drama, pacing, and comic relief delivering a first-rate show.

One reason to see this show – The jury is in and the consensus is you should go.