A Play, a Pie and a Pint - Silence in Court, Le Monde, Edinburgh Fringe

With eleven members of the audience cast as the jury, a brief courtroom drama is played out.  Only the accused and the alleged victim will be questioned, and no further evidence is available.  Can the jury deliver a Guilty or Not Guilty verdict with any hope of getting it 'right'?

The initial courtroom scene, with judge, prosecution and defence lawyers, feels stilted and lacking in any real sense of drama. Things improve when the court usher, who gives by far the best performance, leads the jury in their deliberations, and invites the rest of the audience to join in.  He's adept at keeping things moving, deflecting some of the more ludicrous audience suggestions for questions, and getting laughs from the situation.

Finally the jury gets to question the two protagonists themselves, then must come to their verdict.  It's a mildly frustrating experience, for it feels like it should be  a part of something bigger, but time contraints deliver an over simplified version of the justice system.  It's enjoyable enough, but lacks bite.  Nice pies though.

A Play, a Pie and a Pint is on in Le Monde until 28 August.