Written by one of the best-selling novelists of all time, Agatha Christie, Witness for the Prosecution has garnered critical acclaim at London County Hall.  As you experience a gripping story filled with justice, passion, and betrayal, you may be asing yourself, 'who is having their day in court?' Let us shed some light: 

Who plays Leonardo Vole?

Taking the lead of the naïve but likeable Leonardo Vole is Henry Chandler. His previous credits include Come Dine with Me: The Musical (Norwich Theatre Royal/Edinburgh Fringe/Turbine Theatre), Outlaws: The Ballad of Billy the Kid (The Other Palace), and Mozart: Her Story (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane).

Who plays Romaine Vole?

Charlotte Beaumont takes on the role of Romaine Vole, the wife of Leonardo. Her previous credits include Romeo & Juliet (The Globe), No One Will Tell Me How to Start a Revolution (Hampstead Theatre); Jumpy (Theatre Clwyd) among other roles.

Who plays Sir Wilfred Roberts?

Jonathan Firth takes up the role of Sir Wilfrid Robarts, Q.C. His previous credits include Henry VI (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Lulu Plays (Almeida), Bad Company (National Theatre Studio) among other roles.

Who plays the Judge?

Jefferson Kissoon portrays the Judge and has a vast amount of theatre credits which includes Shakespeare in The Abbey (Shakespeare's Globe Theatre), Mahabharata (Bouffe du Nord Theatre), Demons (Splitmoon Theatre), My Father Odysseus (Unicorn Theatre), Amazonia, Macbeth (Young Vic) and An African Cargo (Nitro) amongst other roles.

London County Hall is one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, steeped in history and grandeur. Originally serving as the headquarters for the London County Council and later the Greater London Council, this impressive riverside building has stood tall since 1922. Designed in a grand Edwardian Baroque style, it is located on the South Bank of the River Thames, offering stunning views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Following the dissolution of the Greater London Council in 1986, County Hall was transformed into a cultural and entertainment hub. Today, it houses attractions like the London Aquarium and the London Dungeon, but its most thrilling experience is found inside the former Council Chamber—now home to an immersive, one-of-a-kind theatre space hosting Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie. The chamber’s authentic legal setting makes it the perfect venue for courtroom drama, putting audiences right in the middle of the action.

What Are the Best Seats at London County Hall?

London County Hall offers a unique theatre experience due to its intimate courtroom-style setting. The best seats depend on how immersive you want your experience to be.

The Jury Box provides the ultimate VIP experience, seating just twelve audience members who feel as though they are part of the trial itself. With a clear view of the entire stage and a privileged position within the courtroom, these seats offer an unparalleled level of engagement, making the audience feel like they are truly sitting in on a real trial.

The Courtroom Stalls wrap around the stage, placing audiences right in the thick of the drama. With 230 seats available in this section, it offers a fantastic immersive experience, making it one of the most popular areas to sit. The proximity to the action means that every expression, argument, and dramatic reveal is felt up close, creating a tension-filled atmosphere that is unmatched in most traditional theatres.

The North Gallery, located on the Circle level, provides an elevated, side-on view of the courtroom. While slightly further from the stage than the stalls, this section still allows audiences to feel deeply involved in the drama while offering a unique angle of the unfolding trial.

The South Gallery mirrors the North Gallery in terms of placement but offers a slightly different vantage point. Sitting here provides an excellent perspective of the performances from a raised position, allowing theatregoers to take in the whole courtroom layout from above.

The Central Gallery, positioned directly opposite the judge’s bench on the Circle level, offers one of the best panoramic views in the theatre. With 53 seats available, this section provides a great balance between immersion and perspective, allowing audiences to observe the entire stage while still feeling closely connected to the unfolding story.

London County Hall Seating Plan

Histrionics, tears, murder, pleas of ‘you have to believe me!’ and wood panelling aplenty. It must be The Traitors Round Table. No wait, it’s Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall! Fitting then, that Witness is a play adapted by Agatha Christie from her 1925 short story "Traitor Hands.".

The "Queen of Crime," known for her detective novels and thrillers, was one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century, with 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections, and over 20 plays to her name. Witness for the Prosecution is every bit as gripping as The Mousetrap and a must-see for London theatre lovers.

Outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare, the acclaimed author has had more than two billion books published. But her tales transcend the pages. Her two shortest stories, Witness for the Prosecution (originally published under the title ‘Traitor's Hands’ in Flynn's, a weekly pulp magazine) and The Mousetrap (which started life as a 20 minute radio play, ‘Three Blind Mice’) are now the longest and most successful plays of all time. Even the famously reclusive writer ventured from Devon to see them! Combined, the critically acclaimed stage adaptations have been playing in theatres for 143 years. Let's grab a magnifying glass and investigate why.

The Mousetrap

The quintessential British play is the epitome of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On.’ On the 17^th of May 2021 The Mousetrap was the first show to reopen in the West End after the COVID 19 pandemic, and when the production moved houses (one of the top three most stressful life events, alongside divorce and the death of a loved one) it didn’t miss a single performance! That’s right, in 1974 the set, costumes, props and tech equipment were transported from the Ambassadors Theatre to St Martins Theatre between performances. How did they do it? We’ve asked, but they’re very good at keeping secrets…

The biggest secret they’ve kept, is of course ‘whodunnit’. Yes, the longest running show of any kind in the world, has managed to keep the magic alive and the murderer a mystery for an astonishing 72 years! More than 500 actors have appeared in the London production, including real-life couple Richard Attenborough (Detective Sergeant Trotter) and Sheila Sim (Mollie Ralston), who opened the show in 1952. And we still have no idea which combination of actors are responsible for the murder at Monkswell Manor!

As you might expect with a seven-decade long run, a number of people have seen the show. From Queen Elizabeth II, who attended the show's 50th anniversary performance in 2002, to Wormwood Scrubs inmates in 1959. The prison guards were so enamoured by the production that two prisoners managed to slip past them and escaped from the institution. It must have been one hell of a show! 

Speaking of shows, the longest running one took inspiration from one of the oldest. Adapted from a 20-minute radio play, ‘Three Blind Mice,’ The title of Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap is a reference to the play-within-the-play in Hamlet by William Shakespeare. And what a fitting name The Mousetrap is! The show has caught the attention of theatreland, with audiences flocking to the theatre to finally catch the killer. As of 2022, more than 10 million people have seen the show and with its 30,000-performance scheduled for mid-March 2025, plenty more are booked and waiting in the wings to see it too. Are you one of them?

All rise! Agatha Christie's sensational Witness for the Prosecution has announced a double whammy. The trial of the century is set to keep you on the edge of your seats until September 29, 2024, at the London County Hall. You can also get ready to witness (pun intended) the show's remarkable tenth cast as they’re called for Jury Duty, or even worse, to the stand…the court is officially in session! 

All rise, all rise! If Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution is guilty of one thing, it’s being a criminally ingenious, pulse-pounding mystery, one that continues to redefine the boundaries of immersive theatre. The grandeur of the historic London County Hall awaits, as Witness for the Prosecution extends its sentence to 28 April 2024, for a remarkable seventh year. Prepare to enter the courtroom and be drawn into a web of deceit woven by the brand-new ninth cast. You are officially called to jury service…book your tickets today! 

Taking my place in the Jury seats at the palatial County Hall, I settle down for another whodunnit from the wonderful Agatha Christie, whose well known West End play, The Mousetrap is London’s longest-running show (which you'll also want tickets for). Being a legal eagle myself, I was interested to see how this would ‘play’ out and if I would be able to differentiate between the innocent and the guilty.

Agatha Christie’s epic tale of justice is set to grip London once again and you can witness the intensity and drama with the unique setting of a real courtroom! Get tickets for Witness for the Prosecution London exclusively with us and secure yourselves the best seats in court! The high-tension tale of justice and law will immerse you completely into the world of Christie for an experience unlike anything else.

After a long recess, the court will be back in session this May and you've just been subpoenaed! Don't miss the eagerly anticipated return of this West End favourite, staged at the beautiful County Hall in London!