LEGAL dramas on stage are a law unto themselves.

They tend to demand a lot of concentration. Every word is important, every gesticulation and body language vital to the proceedings.

Film has the luxury of providing back stories, on the stage it is down to personality, interpretation and presence.

The world stage premiere of Verdict - based on a Oscar-nominated film of the same name starring Paul Newman, has been tweaked and works splendidly on every level.

It is a slick, highly-entertaining two-hour fifty minutes from start to the real verdict and it has some moments that genuinely surprise the audience.

Performances are all top notch - each adding threads to the overrall tapestry notably from Clive Mantle as the hard-drinking lawyer, Frank Devlin He is a man with a conscience that won't let him take a pay-cheque as an easy option. He wants to settle in court not out of it.

It is set in Boston in 1980 four years after a young mum is the victim of pre-op disaster. The Catholic hospital where it took place is being sued for malpractice.

It becomes a David v Goliath scenario. Frank, representing the plaintif, is aided by his mentor, the tea-drinking Moe Katz - a welcome return to the Pavilion for the accomplished actor Jack Shepherd.

They take on attorney J. Edward Concannon (Peter Harding) for the defendant who has never lost a case.

The script, by Margaret May Hobbs, is crystal clear and the storyline well- defined from the outset.

Director and designer Michael Lunney and the Middle Ground Theatre Company know their audiences so well.

The breezy first act sets the scene and is cleverly paced taking place in Frank's typically down-at-heel office and from there to Meehan's bar and to the no-nonsense judge Sweeney's chambers.

The second half all takes place in a wonderfully created Boston courtroom and the cast address the audience as the jury. This is a simple yet brilliant device.

Lynette Webster interweaves some lovely pieces of Irish music.

It is a polished, gripping and very attractive ensemble piece and former Casualty star Clive Mantle dominates every scene he is in.

There is just the right amount of humour peppered throughout.

This is a first class drama on every count. Crisp dialogue and gripping performances.

My verdict - Four Stars.

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