SILENCE IN COURT - CHRISTINE AND NEIL HAMILTON POP INTO THE NEW TOWN COURT ROOM

Pic: Bill Mackellar

SILENCE IN COURT - FIVE STAR REVIEW IN EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS

Edinburgh Evening News

Published Date: 08 August 2011

By Drew McAdam

Silence In Court *****
New Town Theatre, George Street

AS drama goes, this is a unique concept. An interactive legal case in which the audience find themselves in what looks and feels exactly like the austere halls of a courtroom.

From the moment the Court Usher directs the room to "All stand", any preconceptions of light entertainment are gone. This feels real. And for those audience members selected to sit in the jury box, this is as authentic as it gets.

Jennifer Lyons claims rape. Charles Brand maintains that it was consensual. Bewigged and gowned solicitors argue the case for the defence and the prosecution. It's a no-holds-barred affair that captivates the audience and thrusts them into a world in which they take sides.

In an unconventional twist, jury members are allowed to question the accused and the accuser, which leads to lively debate and high passion. The level of emotional commitment could be gauged by the gasps and calls from the "Public Gallery" as the trial came to its remarkable climax.

The cast in this gem deliver a dazzling production. Their combination of skill and delivery is such that the audience quickly forget that this is only fictional drama, and immerse themselves in the task of sorting truth from lie.

This is a riveting show that grabs the audience's emotions and hauls them to their feet as the verdict is announced.

Run ends August 28 (not 16)

DOCTOR WHO STAR TOMEK BORKOWY JOINS SILENCE IN COURT AS GUEST JUROR TONIGHT - SUNDAY 7 AUGUST

emeraldBLUE are delighted to welcome the acclaimed Polish actor Tomek Borkowy to the New Town Courtroom tonight.

Tomek, who is best known to Doctor Who fans as Captain Sorin from the Sylvester McCoy adventure Curse Of Fenric, will play the foreman of the jury in tonight's performance of Silence In Court, which starts at 8pm.

Tomek Borkowy as Cpt Sorin with Sophie Aldred (Ace) in Doctor Who: Curse Of Fenric

A limited number of tickets for tonight are available from 0131 220 0143, £12.50

SILENCE IN COURT: CHRISTINE HAMILTON IS TONIGHT'S (5 AUGUST) GUEST JURY SPOKESWOMAN


Throughout the run of Silence In Court, a series of guest celebrates will play the Jury Foreman, delivering the Guilty or Not Guilty verdict on the night.

Tonight, 5 August, we are delighted to welcome Christine Hamilton to our inter-active Court Room.

Christine is currently appearing on the Fringe with husband Neil in High Jinks With The Hamiltons at Udderbelly's Pasture, which runs until 28 August. Tickets here: www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/hamiltons-high-jinks-with-the-hamiltons

Christine says: "Keeping quiet it not my biggest attribute but really looking forward to taking part in 'Silence in Court' . It promises to be a gripping drama every day so take your seats in the jury box. See you in Court." 
A few tickets, £12.50, for tonight are still available from the New Town Theatre Box Office. Call 0131 220 0143. Show starts 8pm and runs for one hour.

Other confirmed celebrity jurors are:

10 August - Glenn Chandler, Edinburgh-born and raised creator of STV's Taggart, the longest running crime drama in the world. He also wrote for the classic TV series Crown Court and is an honorary patron of emeraldBLUE.
 
12 August - Tom Price, Torchwood's Sgt Andy Davidson is appearing in his own one-man Fringe show Say When, at The Pleasance Courtyard.

SILENCE IN COURT / COCK AND BULL STORY OPENING NIGHTS

Both Silence In Court and Cock And Bull Story opened at the New Town Theatre last night, Thursday 4 August, with healthy audiences and lots of walk up on the door - always a good sign.

Hardly surprising then that both casts hung around to celebrate... here are the boys... I'll get a picture of the girls tonight.

WIRED: Opening night drinks with Ali Macdougall, Edward Cory, Robbie O'Donnell, Maxi Moffat, yours truly, Arron Usher, Matt Robertson and Bill Mackellar

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AWARD

emeraldBLUE are pleased to report that both Silence In Court and Cock And Bull Story have been nominated for the Amnesty International Freedom Of |Expression Award.

emeraldBLUE is an Edinburgh-based not for profit limited company formed with the aim of introducing new audiences to the world of live drama while removing the fourth wall to enable regular theatre-goers a new perspective on live performance.

As such emeraldBLUE has a working relationship with community groups such as 6VT - Edinburgh's Youth Cafe, and The Citadel Youth Centre in Leith.

ABOUT THE WRITERS - COCK AND BULL STORY

Did you know that Cock And Bull Story was written by Richard Crowe and Richard Zajdlic? Yes? But what do you know about them? Here's a quick snapshot of each...

Richard Zajdlic has written extensively for television including episodes of London's Burning, This Life, Clocking Off, Bodies, New Tricks and EastEnders.

Richard Crowe is London Olympics 2012 Creative Programmer.