Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Suzie Miller. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Suzie Miller. Sort by date Show all posts
Saturday, 14 May 2022
Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre | Review
Prima Facie
Harold Pinter Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 13th May 2022 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
Anyone who's seen Jodie Comer in her multifaceted performance in Killing Eve understands why she is such a well loved and in demand actor. In her one-woman West End debut in Prima Facie, Comer lives up to every expectation and delivers a performance that astounds and stays with you long after the curtain comes down.
What's so impressive with Comer is not only how she brings interesting and enticing vocal intonations to the script, but how she physically embodies every moment. The high-voltage emotions which run through the piece are literally carried by Comer and she imbues every moment with intensity and expressiveness. You can just tell how much work has gone into crafting such an intelligent and wonderful portrayal, even from small details such as becoming slightly posher when she's presenting in court compared to talking to her mother. Comer never flags for a second of the 95 minute show and whether she's shattering you with heart-breaking moments, or having you laugh out loud with her witty performance, she has you wrapped around her finger in a phenomenal way.
Of course this performance wouldn't exist without Suzie Miller's script which is so expertly crafted and focusses on the heartbreaking realities of sexual assault and how difficult it is for women to get closure via successful prosecutions in a court which is based on archaic rules written by men and does very little to support or empathise with victims.
Comer's character Tessa is a barrister who rose from being the underdog at university to being one of the top defence lawyers for men accused of sexual assault. The play opens with her revelling at being great in court and later on contrasts this by showing flashbacks to her younger self full of doubt as to whether she could succeed when surrounded by all the private school classmates who she cannot relate to. Her excitement and razor sharp cross examination skills show how she can sew the seed of doubt that the victim may have in fact given consent and that the man was doing what he believed she wanted. The way she talks about it almost gets you on her side until she herself is raped by a colleague and realises how messed up the whole system and court process is.
Natasha Chiver's lighting design and Justin Martin's direction really hammer this message home, with folders creating a blank canvas for the action but also becoming part of the story at times. Gradual lighting changes bring further gravitas to the mood changes and the clever closing monologue which breaks the fourth wall is so well done. As a whole this production is a sleek treat which discusses a dark matter but has you feeling uplifted by the talent and skill displayed on stage and behind the scenes.
In a stunningly moving performance, Jodie Comer shows her emotional range and magnetic stage presence which makes her the wondrous performer she is and makes this an unmissable piece of theatre. Beg, borrow, or steal a ticket if you can find one, or book to see Prime Facie in cinemas!
Monday, 20 October 2025
Rosamund Pike to Reprise Her Acclaimed Role in Inter Alia as it Transfers to the West End
After a triumphant run at the National Theatre, the critically acclaimed drama Inter Alia is officially heading to the West End in Spring 2026, with Rosamund Pike reprising her award-nominated role. Performances begin at Wyndham’s Theatre on 19 March 2026 for a limited season until 20 June.
Written by Suzie Miller, the Olivier Award-winning playwright behind Prima Facie, and directed by Justin Martin, Inter Alia explores the pressures of modern womanhood, motherhood, and the complexities of justice in today’s Britain.
Pike stars as Jessica Parks, a brilliant London Crown Court judge navigating the tensions between her demanding career, family life and a justice system she strives to reform. Her performance has been hailed as “transfixing and deeply human,” earning rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.
Also returning to the production is Jamie Glover as Michael Wheatley, Jessica’s husband, whose layered portrayal has been praised for its honesty and intensity.
The creative team, including designer Miriam Buether and music directors Erin LeCount and James Jacob, bring a refined, cinematic edge to the production. The play’s West End transfer follows a sold-out National Theatre run and a hugely successful National Theatre Live broadcast that reached more than 50,000 viewers.
A compelling blend of intellect and emotion, Inter Alia stands as one of the most anticipated London theatre transfers of 2026.
photo credit: Mads Perch
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