Power Packed Production at Questors

Death row drama The Exonerated is a top class drama

I enjoy 'light' entertertainment, but I also really like films and drama that pack a punch and leave you reeling.

The Exonerated does exactly that.

This remarkable piece of verbatim theatre was written by American actors, Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen who travelled across America talking to prisoners who'd been on death row. After years living in fear of the electric chair, or death by lethal injection, they were finally set free. But, as we discover, resuming their lives as normal was not simple.

From transcripts and interviews they created The Exonerated which was originally performed in 2002 in the US but is rarely seen today. I'm not sure why. It's a rather incredible piece of almost documentary style theatre and I have nothing but praise for the production and cast of Ealing's Questor's Theatre.

Directed with great sensitivity and confidence by former crime correspondent, Peter Gould, this 1 hour and 40 minute performance gripped from the start. We got to know each of the 'inmates' - what they had been accused of, how they coped inside as they waited to hear their fates, and just as importantly, what happened when they were released.

The cast were faultless - without fail. Each and everyone completely inhabited their characters so much that you didn't feel you were watching theatre - it was as though you really were listening to real people. All of them deserve a mention and I won't pick any out because this was a fantastic piece of ensemble theatre and (in my opinion) all were stars.

Zac Sargusingh (playing Delbert Tibbs), Wayil Eisa ( David Keaton), Mike Hadjipatera ( Gary Gauger)  Mark Redrup ( Kerry Max Cook) Wendy Megeney ( Sunny Jacobs) Jason Welch ( Robert Earl Hayes) Anthony Curran, Joe Foster and Tolani Joacquim and Laura Moore.

Sound and lighting often get overlooked in reviews but are a crucial part of the whole experience, so Martin Choules, Terry Mummery and Andrew Whadcoat should take a bow too for creating this totally immersive experience.

It is very hard to believe that Questors isn't actually a professional theatre and these performers and production staff all have other 'real' jobs - this is a very high quality piece of theatre indeed.

Ann Jacob is from the charity LifeLines. They write to prisoners on death row and Ann spoke following last night's production. I plan to feature Ann and Lifelines on Ealing Today at a later date.

Britain abolished the death penalty in 1964 but in the US 31 states still use it. Figures show that in 2016 there were 2,905 people still on death row.

Whatever your view is on capital punishment you really MUST go and see this play.

The Exonerated by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen

In the Studio at The Questors Theatre, 28 October – 5 Novem

Annemarie Flanagan

3rd November 2016