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The story is set in the American deep south during the great depression of the 1930's. Atticus Finch is lawyer, plying his trade in the backwoods Alabama town of Maycomb. Though he sometimes accepts bartered goods in lieu of payment from his clients he is relatively well-to-do compared to most of his neighbours.
He has two children, Jeremy 'Jem' and tomboy Jean Louise 'scout', and a negro maid, Calpurnia. Finch's children befriend Dill, who is spending the summer with his aunt, and together the children scheme to catch a sight of the mysterious and reclusive Boo Rayner who is never seen outdoors. Trouble arises when Atticus is appointed to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, leading to his children getting involved in fights as they defend their father against taunts of 'nigger lover'. Despite the spuriousness of the evidence against his client, Tom Robinson, Atticus knows he has little chance of winning the case in front of an all-white jury. Still he is determined to do his best and make sure at least that the truth is aired in court.
Finally the court case opens and an innocent man's life and liberty rest in Atticus hands. Can he expose to the jury the web of lies that have been around his client and will they care?
This was an emotionally-charged telling of Harper Lee's prizewinning masterpiece. The issues it raises are more than a little uncomfortable as it questions the colour of justice in the racially charged deep south of the great American depression. The characterisations are vividly drawn with excellent stage direction backed by some superb performances.
The impressive set initially represents the exterior junction of three wooden houses but thanks to some clever folding panels quickly converts to portray the interior of the courtyard complete with first floor spectators gallery (revealed by a lifting panel).
Duncan Preston (best known for his comedy roles in TV sitcoms like Surgical Spirit and Dinner Ladies) makes an outstanding Atticus proving that he is much more than a run of the mill comedy actor. His Atticus is principled and compassionate, seeing the best in his neighbours even in the midst of their bigotry. His final empassioned speech to the jury is moving to the point of making one want to stand up and cheer. Challenging him for best performance was Bettrys Jones as his daughter Jean Louise, 'scout', whose diminutive stature (she barely comes up to Preston's chest) made her particularly suitable to the role. Whilst the other two child roles were clearly played by young adults (albeit superbly so) Bettrys was every inch the naive adolescent young girl. Her scout was a boisterous tomboy, direct and inquisitive, yet imbued with her fathers sense of compassion. Vinta Morgan gave us a downcast Tom Robinson, struggling to come to terms with the events that had befallen him, yet determined to maintain his dignity in the face of his false accusers. Craig Vie and Jean-Marc Perret gave well judged character performances as the two boys 'Jem' and 'Dill', whilst Ged McKenna and Sally Tatum were every inch the loud mouthed staggering drunk and downtrodden daughter Bob and Mayella Ewell.
Gripping and moving, with a powerful message that will live in your memory.