On Tuesday night, the Theatre Royal in Bath was packed to the brim for the eagerly anticipated production of Prima Facie, starring the incomparable Jodie Comer, best known for her role in Killing Eve.
The buzz surrounding the play was palpable, with young theatre-goers queuing early at the box office in hopes of snagging last-minute tickets, and some even standing at the sides during the performance. Since its West End debut in 2022, Prima Facie has become a theatrical sensation, touring internationally and earning Jodie Comer both the Laurence Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play.
But what exactly makes Prima Facie so extraordinary? It is difficult to sum up in words. After the performance on February 24, the audience—including seasoned critics—was left utterly speechless.
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In an intense, uninterrupted 100-minute solo show, not a single cough or murmur disrupted the silence. The crowd, ranging from young adults to seniors, sat spellbound. An elderly regular at the Theatre Royal whispered afterward, “What just happened in there?” That sentiment perfectly encapsulates the impact of this groundbreaking play.
Written by the award-winning playwright Suzie Miller, Prima Facie is a one-woman show centered on a rape trial. Yet, it goes far beyond courtroom drama. Through the eyes of a defense barrister whose own traumatic past unfolds before us, the play delivers a searing examination of the systemic failures faced by survivors and the deeply flawed legal system.
Stark statistics punctuate the narrative: one in three women in this country are raped or sexually assaulted. The haunting refrain, “Look to your left, look to your right,” drives home the magnitude of this crisis.
Jodie Comer’s performance is nothing short of phenomenal. Her solo portrayal navigates the complexities of the trial, her professional life, and her personal trauma with breathtaking emotional depth and precision. It is hard to imagine another actor carrying the same weight or the play resonating as powerfully without her.
The nature of the play’s revelations and surprises means less can be said without spoiling the experience. Audiences will leave feeling shocked, informed, moved, and enraged—especially at a system that, even in 2026, still allows such injustices to persist.
For anyone with daughters, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, nieces, or aunts, this play is a devastating wake-up call. It illuminates a chilling reality: how can a country with such a revered legal system permit violence against women to continue unchecked? When will society truly acknowledge that any form of violence against women is unacceptable?
Unlike most reviews, this one comes with a personal note. Prima Facie and Jodie Comer’s extraordinary performance provoked a deep, emotional response in me—tears and anger intertwined. It’s a testament to the transformative power of theatre and art to inspire change and hope.
Prima Facie is a theatrical event unlike any other. Witnessing Jodie Comer command the stage in Bath was a rare privilege. When the final curtain fell, the silence from the audience was deafening.
Though tickets to Prima Facie at the Theatre Royal have been sold out for months, it’s always worth trying for returns. I genuinely feel sorry for anyone who misses this unforgettable experience.