Uncompromisingly challenging - Rough Justice at the Club Theatre (From Messenger Newspapers)

Uncompromisingly challenging - Rough Justice at the Club Theatre

10:18am Tuesday 26th January 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

INTENSE, engrossing and deeply thought provoking, the courtroom drama Rough Justice isn’t for the faint hearted.

If I have a criticism of the play, the Club Theatre’s latest production, is that the ending allows the audience to return to its comfort zone.

But I do think it was a brave decision to give the piece an outing, bearing it mind that its rather difficult subject matter. We live in a time where people are watching their pennies and it would have been easy for the Club to have chosen something with guaranteed box office appeal.

The totally unsympathetic James Highwood is on trial for killing his severely disabled baby son.

We never see the child and we don’t see Highwood carry out the wicked deed, but writer Terence Frisby uses language so evocatively it’s impossible to disrance yourself from the horror of what has taken place.

Ian Fensome gives a passionate and at times painfully plausible performance as James Highwiood abd there are some memorable verbal spats between him and prosecutor Margaret Casely QC, expertly portrayed by Kathy Russell, to enjoy. Highwood has made the mistake of trying to defend himself in the dock and Casely, a formidable operator who could make you believe black is white, has him squirming like a fish on the end of a hook at times.

Uncompromisingly challenging, Rough Justice is sure to spark a debate or two on the way home. Rick Bowen * Until Saturday. The box office is on 0161 928 1113. Star rating - ****

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)