MIDDLE GROUND THEATRE COMPANY LTD
Presents
The World Stage Premiere of
THE VERDICT
By Barry Reed
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
25th - 29th April 2017
Presents
The World Stage Premiere of
THE VERDICT
By Barry Reed
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
25th - 29th April 2017
STARRING CLIVE MANTLE, JACK SHEPHERD and RICHARD WALSH in a full cast of fifteen.
The powerful best-selling courtroom thriller that inspired a multi Academy Award-Nominated film.
The powerful best-selling courtroom thriller that inspired a multi Academy Award-Nominated film.
Interview with Clive Mantle
Clive Mantle is a very familiar face from stage and screen, best known for his regular roles in Robin of Sherwood, Casualty, Holby City and The Vicar Of Dibley. He is currently starring as down-on-his-luck lawyer Frank Galvin in the courtroom thriller The Verdict, which comes to [insert theatre and dates]. We caught up with Clive for a quick chat.
Q. Tell us about The Verdict.
It's a beautifully constructed piece and it picks out the best bits of both the novel (by Barry Reed), which is a very good read in itself, and of course the wonderful film starring Paul Newman. The first half follows Frank Galvin in his descent to the lowest point he has ever been – he's an alcoholic, his business is falling to bits, and he's chasing ambulances as they say in the legal profession. At one stage he had a very promising legal career, but through alcohol and a life of debauchery he's got himself into a bit of a pickle, and we open the play with him literally collapsed on the floor of his office. And from thereon the show charts his rise, as he starts fighting on behalf of someone who really needs his help.
He represents a woman who is in a persistent vegetative state owing to a mistake made in a hospital operation. The case recalls in his mind all the things he went into the legal profession to do, which was to fight for the underdog and to speak for those who had no opportunity to speak for themselves. He's up against the hospital, the Church and the best lawyers in the western hemisphere, and it's up to the audience to find out whether he ends up triumphant at the end.
Q. Is he a likeable character?
He's a likeable rogue I would say. You have to have some sympathy with him in the fact that his principles in terms of the legal profession are absolutely scrupulous, although he has found himself in places where he is representing the shoddy end of the industry. When push comes to shove, his true colours are seen.
Q. Frank Galvin was famously played by Paul Newman in the Oscar-nominated film. Does his performance influence you?
His performance is on film, it's magnetic, and it's magnificent. It was rightly nominated for an Oscar and the film is rightly held up as one of the great courtroom films of all time. So there's Paul Newman who' has played the part, and now there's me! So at least I'll be second best at playing the part, and to be in the top two at anything in the world is pretty good!
Q. What attracted you to this role?
It's an incredibly diverse role for me to take. I love American drama, I love American characters and I've done a lot of American plays and played a lot of American parts. There's something about the writing which is immediate. Americans don't mess about – they tell it how it is, and as a result it hits the audience in the solar plexus as they are sitting there in the theatre.
Q. Tell us about The Verdict.
It's a beautifully constructed piece and it picks out the best bits of both the novel (by Barry Reed), which is a very good read in itself, and of course the wonderful film starring Paul Newman. The first half follows Frank Galvin in his descent to the lowest point he has ever been – he's an alcoholic, his business is falling to bits, and he's chasing ambulances as they say in the legal profession. At one stage he had a very promising legal career, but through alcohol and a life of debauchery he's got himself into a bit of a pickle, and we open the play with him literally collapsed on the floor of his office. And from thereon the show charts his rise, as he starts fighting on behalf of someone who really needs his help.
He represents a woman who is in a persistent vegetative state owing to a mistake made in a hospital operation. The case recalls in his mind all the things he went into the legal profession to do, which was to fight for the underdog and to speak for those who had no opportunity to speak for themselves. He's up against the hospital, the Church and the best lawyers in the western hemisphere, and it's up to the audience to find out whether he ends up triumphant at the end.
Q. Is he a likeable character?
He's a likeable rogue I would say. You have to have some sympathy with him in the fact that his principles in terms of the legal profession are absolutely scrupulous, although he has found himself in places where he is representing the shoddy end of the industry. When push comes to shove, his true colours are seen.
Q. Frank Galvin was famously played by Paul Newman in the Oscar-nominated film. Does his performance influence you?
His performance is on film, it's magnetic, and it's magnificent. It was rightly nominated for an Oscar and the film is rightly held up as one of the great courtroom films of all time. So there's Paul Newman who' has played the part, and now there's me! So at least I'll be second best at playing the part, and to be in the top two at anything in the world is pretty good!
Q. What attracted you to this role?
It's an incredibly diverse role for me to take. I love American drama, I love American characters and I've done a lot of American plays and played a lot of American parts. There's something about the writing which is immediate. Americans don't mess about – they tell it how it is, and as a result it hits the audience in the solar plexus as they are sitting there in the theatre.
THE VERDICT
What price the truth?
Frank Galvin is a washed up veteran lawyer and an alcoholic. He is presented with one last chance to redeem himself when he is given an open-and-shut medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win. Up against the unforgiving medical establishment and the all-powerful Catholic Church, he courageously refuses an out of court settlement, believing it is negligence that has condemned a young mother. Smelling a cover up, he instead takes the case and the entire legal system to court.
A stunning courtroom thriller made famous by the five times OSCAR nominated Sidney Lumet film with Paul Newman and James Mason.
Clive Mantle has been a household favourite for over three decades, with regular roles in hit television series Robin Of Sherwood, The Vicar Of Dibley, Mount Pleasant, White Van Man, Game of Thrones and of course Dr Mike Barratt in both Casualty and Holby City.
Jack Shepherd is one of our most celebrated actors and has a distinguished career in theatre, television and film spanning over fifty years. His awards include a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award, a Plays and Players London Critics’ Award, and a Time Out Award. He is probably best known for his portrayal of Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe in the hugely popular television series Wycliffe.
The cast also includes Richard Walsh (London’s Burning), Peter Harding, Cassie Bancroft, Tom Roberts (Emmerdale / 2point4 Children), Veronica Quilligan, Okon Jones, Michael Lunney, Nuala Walsh, Eugenia Caruso and Jog Maher.
Mon - Thurs 8pm + Thurs 2.30pm - £30.50, £28.50, £22.00
Fri & Sat 8pm + Sat 2.30pm - £32.00, £30.00, £26.00
Concessions £2.00 off
U16s £19.00
Senior Citizen Thurs Matinee Special - £25.50, £22.00
Group Discounts - 10% off groups of 10-19, 20% off groups 20+
Applies to all performances excluding Fri & Sat 8pm
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
What price the truth?
Frank Galvin is a washed up veteran lawyer and an alcoholic. He is presented with one last chance to redeem himself when he is given an open-and-shut medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win. Up against the unforgiving medical establishment and the all-powerful Catholic Church, he courageously refuses an out of court settlement, believing it is negligence that has condemned a young mother. Smelling a cover up, he instead takes the case and the entire legal system to court.
A stunning courtroom thriller made famous by the five times OSCAR nominated Sidney Lumet film with Paul Newman and James Mason.
Clive Mantle has been a household favourite for over three decades, with regular roles in hit television series Robin Of Sherwood, The Vicar Of Dibley, Mount Pleasant, White Van Man, Game of Thrones and of course Dr Mike Barratt in both Casualty and Holby City.
Jack Shepherd is one of our most celebrated actors and has a distinguished career in theatre, television and film spanning over fifty years. His awards include a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award, a Plays and Players London Critics’ Award, and a Time Out Award. He is probably best known for his portrayal of Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe in the hugely popular television series Wycliffe.
The cast also includes Richard Walsh (London’s Burning), Peter Harding, Cassie Bancroft, Tom Roberts (Emmerdale / 2point4 Children), Veronica Quilligan, Okon Jones, Michael Lunney, Nuala Walsh, Eugenia Caruso and Jog Maher.
Mon - Thurs 8pm + Thurs 2.30pm - £30.50, £28.50, £22.00
Fri & Sat 8pm + Sat 2.30pm - £32.00, £30.00, £26.00
Concessions £2.00 off
U16s £19.00
Senior Citizen Thurs Matinee Special - £25.50, £22.00
Group Discounts - 10% off groups of 10-19, 20% off groups 20+
Applies to all performances excluding Fri & Sat 8pm
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135