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14 August 2026
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3 1/2 ***
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For decades, Richard Harris been one of the UK’s favourite playwrights. Hits such as ‘Outside Edge’ and ‘Stepping Out’ are continually being performed, as is his hit thriller ‘The Business of Murder’ which enjoyed an eight year run in the West End. ‘Dead Guilty’ from 1994 is less well known, but this four character, psychological thriller provides for a fun piece of entertainment.
The opening is unconventional and catches the audience from the off as the voice of a coroner questions the central character, Julia Darrow, about the car accident she was involved in which killed her boss. Thereafter, the story develops gradually as Julia begins to question her actions and her memory; is the therapist who she says she is? Is the widow of Julia’s boss, as meek and mild as she seems? Is the daily help, Gary, rather more sinister than he appears?
The issue with reviewing a thriller is trying to avoid spilling the beans and so spoilers will be avoided here. Suffice to say that during the interval the audience are found discussing who might be the guilty party – but guilty of what? As the second act begins, matters ramp up somewhat!
The well-appointed set is augmented with good lighting and an atmospheric soundscape. Harris does break each act into a number of different scenes (some of which are incredibly short) which somewhat breaks the momentum of the piece overall, particularly in Act One. At times the dialogue is a tad clunky and awkward, but the plot is continually intriguing – Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 play ‘Gaslight’, about coercion and deception, was the origin of the verb ‘gaslighting’ and is very much a theme here. As the play goes on it is not difficult to work out what is what but the author very effectively pulls the rug out from under the audience with a clever final twist.
Caitlin Shannon takes on the enormous central role of Julia, not only coping with the lines but also with using crutches and a medical boot. Maybe there could have been more of an arc to the characterisation in order to emphasise the descent into confusion more effectively. James Taylor-Thomas is ideal as the chirpy chappy helper with a harder edge to him that you initially see. Jessica Olim does what she can with the rather under written role as the professional help and Tom Neill gives the coroner an important gravitas. Victoria Porter excels as Margaret Haddrell in a role which showcases her acting skills and gives her a chance to really sink her teeth into it.
Director, Su Gilroy, builds up the tension incredibly well as the play builds to its climax and the audience is left shocked as the curtain falls!
An effective thriller and production with some small reservations, but, although, it is reminiscent of other plays, it is original enough and performed well. It will have the audience continually guessing until the very last second!
Cast
Julia Darrow – Caitlin Shannon
Margaret Haddrell – Victoria Porter
Anne Bennett – Jessica Olim
Gary – James Taylor-Thomas
Voice of the Coroner – Tom Neill
Creatives
Writer – Richard Harris
Director – Su Gilroy
Lighting and Sound Design – Steve Miller
Set Design – Robert Sherwood
Stage Management – Tom Neill & Eddie Comerford
Production Assistant – Gary Fish
Costume Assistant – Grace Dudzicki
Photo Image – Maisie Hill
