The Verdict - Lichfield Garrick Review

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Tue 14 Feb 2023 - Sat 18 Feb 2023

This gripping drama has clearly lost none of its edge or relevance since novelist Barry Reed first put pen to paper more than 40 years ago. A medical blunder and subsequent malpractice case is at the very heart of this timeless story, which is superbly brought to the live stage in Margaret May Hobbs' outstanding adaptation. The story, first published in 1980, and then the subject of a hit movie two years later, revolves around the case of Debbie McDaid, who is left with severe brain damage during what should have been the routine birth of her child. In steps '50-something' lawyer Frank Galvin, a confessed drunk who has to resort to 'ambulance chasing' the daily newspaper obituary columns to make ends meet. The Church, which runs the St Catherine Laboure Hospital where Debbie met her fate, offers a settlement, but Frank wants his day in court against the establishment and their expensive lawyers.



This superb production by Middle Ground Theatre Company, which is currently enjoying a run at the Lichfield Garrick theatre in Staffordshire as part of a UK tour, leaves the captivated audience guessing throughout as to whether justice will be done. It certainly helps if you never saw the 1982 film that starred Paul Newman, or it was so long ago that you've forgotten the climactic ending. The play opens with a split stage - one half is Frank Galvin's rundown office and the other is Meehan's Bar where he spends a lot of his time. What follows are a series of powerful, emotive scenes as Frank is determined to do the right thing for Debbie and her mother, who is left to bring up her three young grandchildren. The second half of The Verdict then switches to a Boston courtroom where Frank finds himself up against a hotshot lawyer who has never lost a malpractice case and a judge who doesn't take kindly to him.



Directed and designed by Michael Lunney, who also acts on stage, Middle Ground's production stars Jason Merrells, who delivers a brilliant performance as Frank. However, there is no shortage of other excellent performances, including Richard Walsh as both Judge Sweeney and Bishop Brophy, Reanne Farley as bar worker Donna St Laurent, Okon Jones as Dr Lionel Thompson, Nigel Barber as unforgiving lawyer J. Edgar Concannon, and Vincent Pirillo as Frank's mentor and former partner Moe Katz. There are various twists and turns as Frank, assisted by Moe, prepares their case before it all leads to a gripping finale when former nurse Natalie Stampanatto (Holly Jackson Walters) takes to the stand.



The Verdict continues at the Lichfield Garrick until Saturday 18th February. Tickets ranging from £20 to £40 are available by visiting www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by phoning the box office on 01543 412121.

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!date 14/02/2023 -- 18/02/2023