The Theatre Royal in Bath was packed to the brim on Tuesday night for the highly anticipated opening of Prima Facie, starring the incomparable Jodie Comer, best known for her role in Killing Eve.
From early evening, young theatre-goers lined up at the box office hoping to snag last-minute tickets, while others stood along the aisles, eager not to miss a moment of the performance.
Since its debut in London’s West End in 2022, Prima Facie has become a theatrical sensation. It has toured extensively, been screened in cinemas internationally, and earned Jodie Comer prestigious accolades, including the Laurence Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play.
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But what makes Prima Facie so extraordinary? It’s a difficult play to encapsulate with words. As a seasoned theatre critic, I found myself utterly speechless on opening night in Bath.
The performance lasts just one hour and forty minutes, with no interval, yet throughout, the audience remained utterly captivated—silent not even a cough or whisper disturbed the spell. The crowd, a mix of all ages, was entirely engrossed.
One elderly regular of the Theatre Royal remarked afterward, “What just happened in there?” That question resonated with many of us. What we witnessed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Written by award-winning playwright Suzie Miller, Prima Facie is a one-woman play that delves into the complexities of a rape trial. Yet, it transcends courtroom drama to explore deeply urgent issues about justice and the treatment of sexual assault victims within the legal system.
The statistics it presents are stark: one in three women in this country endure rape or sexual assault. The play drives this point home repeatedly with the haunting line, “Look to your left, look to your right.”
Jodie Comer’s solo performance is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s almost unbelievable that one actor can embody the role of a fierce barrister, relive her personal history, and portray the devastating experience of her own assault, carrying the entire narrative alone.
This solo aspect is central to the play’s impact. The raw intensity and emotional range Comer delivers keep the audience riveted and profoundly moved.
Prima Facie will leave you spellbound, silenced, shocked, informed, and heartbroken. It evokes tears, laughter, and furious indignation toward a legal system that, in 2026, still allows violence against women to persist.
Anyone with a daughter, sister, mother, or any woman they love will be deeply moved and angered by the injustices laid bare on stage. How can such a civilized nation fail to protect its women from violence? When will society truly understand that any harm against a woman is unacceptable?
Unlike many reviews, this is a personal response. Prima Facie compels you to reflect on your own life and those closest to you. I found myself both crying and enraged—emotions intertwined.
This is a testament to the transformative power of theatre and art. They can provoke change and offer hope.
Experiencing Prima Facie live, especially witnessing Jodie Comer’s exceptional talent, is a rare privilege.
The audience left the Theatre Royal in a profound silence—speechless yet moved.
Tickets for Prima Facie in Bath have sold out well in advance, but it is always worth trying for returns. I truly feel sorry for anyone who cannot experience this remarkable play.