"The Verdict" by Barry Reed.

Middle Ground Theatre

Derby Theatre.

I missed out on seeing this courtroom thriller when it appeared at the Nottingham Theatre Royal earlier this year, so I was pleased to be able to get to see it this week in Derby. I also missed out on watching the film, so the story is all new to me, and therefore the outcome of the story!

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, he 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. Along the way there's also a romantic entanglement, but could this chance meeting be something more than it first appears?

Jason Merrells, whose face you'll immediately recognise from his many TV roles from "Happy Valley" and "Emmerdale" plays Frank Galvin, the washed-up lawyer. Many people will just see Jason as a soap and TV actor, but he has an impressive theatre resume; everything from Shakespeare to Chekhov to Ayckbourn.

We get the full lowdown on Galvin even before the play starts as he crawls out from under his desk, dishevelled and hung over. It's not the last time we see him, slightly worse for wear due to the liquor either; but then again, don't all lawyers drink?

Throughout this wonderful piece of theatre we see him collect pieces of the jigsaw and present a full picture of what happened on that day in November 1976 to Debbie on that operating table whilst in childbirth. But will the jury believe the little man over the church and the medical profession?

It was just like watching a film, the production was that slick and you are left, hanging on to every word that Galvin utters. Merrell's performance here is hypnotic, and I didn't want the twenty-minute interval, I was eager to find out the truth of what happened and bring the case to a closure.

Richard Walsh plays Bishop Brophy, who we see trying to settle the matter away from the court for a sum of $300.000. You'd think any lawyer would snap that offer up, but what does Galvin see in the Bishop that makes him change his mind and go for, what seems to be an impossible case to win?

Galvin needs an expert to back him up, and when his main witness suddenly becomes impossible to reach, he turns to Lionel Thompson MD, played by Okon Jones. There's a lot of humour in this role, a lot which was not acknowledged in my opinion by the audience, and Okon provided that laid back vibe, the complete opposite to the defence.

Mrs McDaid, Debbie's mother is played by Sarah Shelton. Irish in descent but resident of Boston, Massachusettes. Lovely lilting accent and a lovely physical feel for the part. Sarah made me believe the age of the character she played just by the physicality of McDaid.

Vincent Pirillo played Moe Katz, Galvin's partner in this case; as with Sarah's performance, the physicality of this role is spot on.

Reanne Farley plays Donna St Laurent who enters the story as she is looking for a job as a waitress in Galvin's local hang out. She becomes his love interest. The bar is owned by Eugene Meehan, played by Michael Lunney.

J Edgar Concannon, representing the defence is played by Nigel Barber.

Under the judicial microscope are Dr Rexford Gilbert Towler MD, played by Jason Wilson and Dr Daniel Jonathan Crowley, played by Michael Lunney.

Helping Galvin fight his case are Mary Rooney and Natalie Stampanatto, two of the nurses there on that day. Wonderfully portrayed by Teresa Jennings and Holly Jackson Walters respectively.

The people in court were played by Anna Arthur (Stenographer/Nurse/Waitress/ Jury Foreman), Bruce Chattan (Jeremy Callahan Court Clerk), James Morley (Bailiff Thomas Laundsen). Richard Walsh (Eldredge Sweeney), Dave Speck (Michael Madden - lawyer).

Directed and designed by Michael Lunney, at two hours and twenty minutes long, not including the interval, at first sight it seems a long stretch inside but in reality, the tension that builds makes it seem a lot shorter than this, and it takes a Director who knows their stuff to keep the audience gripped to their seats, and that is what Lunney has done.

The Set design is just as breath taking and gripping as the story and the acting. The first act is split between Galvin's office and Eugene's bar. the second act is like stepping into one of those big American court rooms you see on the TV. From what I could see, all three sets had great attention to detail.

Assistant Director was Richard Walsh.

One other thing that I will mention is the music that accompanied the scene changes. representing the Irish side of the story, we were treated to some beautiful Irish instrumental music, played by Lynette Webster. This choice included one of my all-time favourite traditional Irish pieces, "She Moves Through The Fair"

I was so pleased that I didn't see the film before this production because this version will now be the one that I remember. It is gripping, it is hypnotic, it is mesmeric, and I even held my breath when the verdict from the jury was requested.

A wonderful cast, a great story, a twist that I didn't see coming and a shame if you missed out on not seeing this spell binding production.

"The Verdict" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 24 June.