A Legal Case Of Two Halves (from East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

FOR a man facing a murder trial, aptly-named bird fancier Mr Fowle seems remarkably positive.

Happy with his daily routine of slopping out and staring at the distant Epping Forest through the bars of his cell, suddenly everything is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of the Dock Brief in the title of the play, Mr Morgenhall.

So begins the first in a John Mortimer (he of Rumpole of the Bailey fame) double-header at the Savoy Theatre.

The Dock Brief was first produced in 1957 as a radio drama, but under the direction of Christopher Morahan it transfers happily to the stage.

Set entirely in a prison cell it is essentially the story of a hapless barrister Morgenhall's bid to reach the big time after many years of failure having been chosen to represent Fowle, on trial accused of killing his ever-jovial wife in a bid to get some peace and quiet.

With the selfish Fowle happy to admit his guilt. Morgenhall sets about devising a series of more cunning scenarios to not only help him get off, but moreover, to win a trial that will see him make his name.

Morgenhall is played by the legendary Edward Fox, and after some mumbled early deliveries he slips perfectly into the part as he flits between enthusiasm and abject despair as he effectively tries to practise bullfighting with a kitten.

But it is Nicholas Woodeson, as Fowle, who almost steals his thunder. Starting as an uneducated man of few words, he soon throws himself into the game, taking on the part of judge, jury, surprise witnesses and all other characters needed to provide a foil to Morgenhall.

Despite the limited resources available, Wood-eson really brings Fowle to life as he plays out the scenario like a teacher would read aloud a book to a nursery class, doing all the voices and facial expressions.

And when things go his way thanks to a late twist of fate, you can't help but feel delighted that Fowle is on the 'home straight' back towards Epping Forest.

The second play, Edwin, sees retired judge Sir Fennimore Truscott brin-ging the audience into play as the jury to determine who was guilty of the crime of 'rodgering' his wife Margaret and producing the aforementioned Edwin.

Before lunch the former beak fiercely lays claim to his 'son' as he spars with neighbour Tom, a tweed and bowtie-wearing potter.

And as is always the case with Mortimer, there is a late twist to keep things interesting.

Certainly Edwin provided more belly laughs for the audience with pithy one-liners centred around middle-class interests such as gardening, sherry, duck, loganberry pie and brass rubbing, but it certainly didn't hit the spot in the same way as the Dock Brief.

Although Woodeson was again excellent as Tom, Polly Adams as Margaret was a bit too whimsical for my liking, and Fox's Sir Fennimore just seemed an extension of Morgehall, with almost the same voice and mannerisms.

And despite base humour being the staple of comedy today, a good 'rodgering' sadly didn't hit the spot in this case.

A real shame considering the calibre of the cast and the excellent fare thrown up in the first half.

The Dock Brief/Edwin are playing at the Savoy Theatre, Strand, London, WC2 until Saturday, April 26. Nearest Tube: Charing Cross. Shows start at 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 2.30pm) with tickets costing £20-£45. To book call the box office on 0870 164 8787.

is good this thing. i likeded this old dhow tv nameded crown court itv. juges were wig and look reel pepal and giveded vardikt. like very much bettar than the rubish big broter and all rest show on the tv now. this crown cort one time have mardar and men geting lif and jumping from the cort

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