Yet More Trial & Error
14th March 2018Old Bailey
It was our fourth year to see the hugely entertaining Trial & Error performance at the Old Bailey. The evening is in support of the Sheriffs' & Recorder's Fund and Pan Intercultural Arts. After a reception in the Grand Hall of the Central Criminal Court, we were ushered in to Court No 2 (Court No 1 is having the decorators in). The format is short plays illustrating trials that have taken place at the Old Bailey over the last 400 years. His Honour Peter Rook QC, devised and scripted the shows with musical support from Colin Sell. The plays can be very amusing and some can be full of pathos.
The performers include judges, barristers and guests such as our very own Fiona Adler. In fact, the centre fold in this year's Sheriffs' & Recorder's Fund annual report and accounts features a colour photo of Fiona playing a woman of ill repute in last year's show. The second act was The Witch's Tale with Fiona playing Jane Wenham, who was accused of witchcraft. The act closed with Fiona singing a show stopper number: "I just like to fly in the sky". Other trials included Ruth Ellis (the last woman to be hanged in the UK), Stephen Ward (osteopath to the rich and famous in the early 60s) and publishers of Oz magazine. After the show, the Mistress and I enjoyed supper with Roger and Jenny Merton.