The Verdict is a best-selling novel by Barry Reed and a Oscar nominated film. The play, adapted by Margaret May Hobbs, is produced by Vertigo Theatre as its North American premiere. It’s a ‘David vs Goliath’ story, a story of an unlikely hero in search of justice and accountability. It’s the story of a flawed protagonist with this very minute probability of winning a fight against the establishment. Bringing the entity with all the power to justice. Forcing them to take accountability and acknowledge the harm that they have caused. The Verdict is set in the 80s. But its relevance to today is remarkable and it’s shines in the details. The details of an unlikely hero, a fight that doesn’t feel winnable in any way, and the small spark of hope that those that have done harm can admit defeat.
The play tells of Frank Galvin (Shaun Smyth) a lawyer with a dwindling career who relies on alcohol to get him through. He is approached with a malpractice case by Mrs. McDaid (Shawna Burnett). Her daughter was in hospital for the birth of her third child and wound up confined to a breathing machine to keep her alive. Galvin refuses an out of court settlement of a large sum of money offered by Bishop Brophy (Steven Morton) and takes the Church and the Boston Medical Hospital to court. It’s a case that Galvin is unlikely to win, even with help from his old friend Moe Katz (Dov Mickelson) as he’s against the incredibly skilled defense lawyer J. Edgar Concannon (Joel Cochrane) while trying to reason with Judge Eldredge Sweeney (Duval Lang). The accused, Dr. Rexford Gilbert Towler (Steven Conde) and Dr. Danielle Crowley (Kira Bradley) have been coached well for taking the stand. If Galvin isn’t at the courthouse, he’s at the bar owned by Eugene Meehan (Christopher Clare) chatting with bartender Donna St. Laurent (Kelsey Verzotti). Clare, Verzotti and Burnett double as experts or witnesses in the trial.
Smyth brings more life to Galvin than the character probably deserves. His performance is so solid, and he demonstrates Galvin’s flaws and convictions. It’s nice to see Burnett on stage again, it’s been a long while of her absence. Morton, Mickelson and Bradley all embody their characters well, but it’s Cochrane’s role as the defense lawyer that is the spark to this show. Cochrane represents the system that keeps the people in high places from facing consequences and he plays his role so well. His words are like silk, slithering to put doubt in the minds of the jury. Clare is a solid presence on stage and Verzotti seems to add nuance to every role she plays on Calgary stages. She’s a force to be reckoned with as an artist. Last, but certainly not least, Lang is such a presence as Judge Sweeney.
Narda McCarroll’s set design has nice touches to set the play in a courtroom, or a bar, or an office. The windows as backdrops is a nice touch. Rebecca Toon’s costume design dates the play to the 80s, while Jessie Paynter’s lighting design helps to build up the drama. Jack Grinhaus’ direction has the action unfold at a steady pace, though the first half does run a bit too long.
Ultimately, The Verdict is a story about taking on what seems insurmountable. It’s a tale about believing in justice and truth. It’s a story of victory that is still bittersweet. The part of the production that seems so out of reach these days is the concept of the guilty facing the consequences of their actions. But it’s worth fighting for.
Vertigo Theatre’s production of The Verdict runs until June 7th. Tickets and more information is available online.
Photo: Joel Cochrane, Kira Bradley, Steven Conde, Steven Morton, Shaun Smyth, Photo by Fifth Wall Media