Derek Bentley's victim status is undoubted. His hanging brought the rope into further disrepute. But this pathetic tale of suburban crime and punishment is not right for a Brechtian makeover in aid of Amnesty.
Brecht, however manipulative, wouldn't be so sentimental. Let Him Have Justice betrays its title. It distorts the sad, simple truths to conform eagerly with a mawkish blend of Lloyd- Webber and Sondheim. Julian Woolford and his enthused team of fresh-faced graduates from Mountview Theatre School have excellent intentions. But their show cannot be powerful against capital punishment (still too popular with the public) unless it is far more scrupulous about facts.
One of the ropiest bits is a drinking duet in clubland for prosecuting and defending counsel, Christmas Humphreys and Frank Cassels, implicitly fixing the outcome - cheap misrepresentation not borne out by the subsequent courtroom questioning. The appeal, occasion for a shoddy name joke, "should be over by Christmas, Christmas". Mark Stobbart's sharp-suited Craig is a Rebel without a Cause, except for the misfortune of living in Croydon. Gavin Wilkinson's nicely observed Bentley is just too utterly innocent, an almost saintlike pure fool. Theatrical licence, of course. And did they really jive like this back in 1952?
Let Him Have Justice
