Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution marks 2000 performances at London County Hall

Witness for the Prosecution celebrates with a competition…

Producers of the show, Eleanor Lloyd and Rebecca Stafford, have today announced the launch of a new story writing competition for secondary school students to celebrate 2000 performances of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall.

The production is more popular than ever after a record-breaking 12 months playing to 98% capacity. Now in its seventh year, nearly 640,000 people have watched the gripping trial of Leonard Vole unfold in the magnificent setting of London County Hall.

Eleanor Lloyd and Rebecca Stafford:

‘We are thrilled to have reached such a milestone moment for the production. What’s particularly wonderful is seeing so many young people enjoying the show through our popular Under 26 ticket scheme or on school trips. We wanted to launch this competition to inspire the next generation of writers and to celebrate Christie’s timeless work.’

To enter the competition, budding authors in Years 7 – 9 will need to write a short thriller of up to 2000 words inspired by Witness for the Prosecution for the chance to win tickets for their class to see the theatre production. Competition judges will include Agatha Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard, and international bestselling author Kate Mosse.

Katie Buchholz and Benjamin Westerby (Romaine and Leonard Vole) in Witness for the Prosecution / Picture by Sam Barker

Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. The stakes are high. Will he be able to convince the jury of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose?

Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution has captured the imagination of thousands gripped by the case of Leonard Vole, accused of murder in cold blood. Director Lucy Bailey (And Then There Were None, Tour) thrillingly places the audience in the thick of the action as Christie’s enthralling tale of justice, passion and betrayal unfolds around them.

The cast of Witness for the Prosecution / Picture by Sam Barker

The twists and turns of the case are played out in a spectacular courtroom setting inside the atmospheric London County Hall as the prosecution battles the defence and witnesses take the stand to give their shocking testimonies.  The production received Best Revival nominations at the 2018 Olivier and WhatsOnStage Awards.

Witness for the Prosecution gives audiences the unique and rare experience to step inside the historic London County Hall in the heart of the capital. Designed by Ralph Knott, County Hall was officially opened just over 100 years ago by King George V in July 1922 after construction began just before the First World War in 1911. For 64 years it served as the headquarters of local government for London.

The production is designed by William Dudley, with lighting by Chris Davey, sound design by Mic Pool and casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG. For more information on the writing competition, the details are available online.