WITNESS for the Prosecution at Altrincham Little Theatre, differs from your usual Agatha Christie work in two ways.

For starters, the victim has already been battered to death and the play centres around the trial of the presumed perpetrator.

Secondly, you can empathise with the characters – especially Leonard Vole, the accused.

This is unusual because Agatha Christie’s characters are usually like pieces on a chess board, moved around without an ounce of humanity.

Anthony Morris plays Leonard Vole spectacularly well. He stands in the dock, a somewhat shallow person who is afraid of his Austrian ‘wife’ after allowing himself to become the plaything of the rich, lecherous, murdered woman who leaves him her fortune.

Vicky Siddle, who plays the Austrian woman with whom he lives, creates her as heartless, cruel and a liar. You never know what her character is thinking except that whatever it is, it is devious – and that is Vicky’s skill.

Sir Wilfred Robarts, QC, the defence counsel is on stage most of the time.

David Reynolds fits the role like a glove and he excels in his summing up of the case.

The final pulsating scene after the trial is something you will never forget.

The prosecution’s case is well put by John Westbrook as Mr Myers, QC who is ruthless in his cross examination.

Steve Smith and Alan Reidsma’s court room set is accurate to the last bench and contributes to a tale with an enormous twist.

It owes much to the competent direction of John Chidgey.

• Witness for the Prosecution is at Altrincham Little Theatre until March 25th. For tickets, telephone 0161 928 1113 or email ct.tickets@gmail.com.

Star rating: * * * *