From the stage to social impact: The power of prima facie

Law firm Samantha Wong reports on a question-and-answer session with the creators of the play before its cinema debut

“One of three women. Look left. Look right. It's one of us.”

Sitting at a screening of NTLive: At first glance Before the play returned to theaters, I was convinced that this live recording would be just as thrilling as the original performance at the Harold Pinter Theater in 2022.

Prima Facie tells the story of Tessa, a young, successful criminal defense attorney whose unwavering faith in the legal system and its administration of justice was shattered when she herself became a victim of sexual assault. Now on the witness stand, scrutinized rather than examined, she experiences first-hand how the rigid logic of criminal law struggles to understand such a deeply personal and emotional violation. Rather than enabling justice, it seems to prevent it.

It is said that “art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Although I cannot imagine that many victims of sexual violence At first glance It is particularly comforting to watch, and the fact that this play has had a real social impact should provide some relief, not least because the play is so successful at shaking people up.

As playwright Suzie Miller explained at the post-performance Q&A, three days after the play's West End premiere, a High Court judge contacted her asking for permission to use her words, as jury instructions in sexual assault trials are usually revised. The play also inspired a group of lawyers to form TESSA (The Examination of Serious Sexual Assault), an organisation calling for a reassessment of the legal definitions of rape, consent and sexual assault in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

In fact, the aim from the start was to make a real impact. During the Q&A, Kate Parker, founder of the Schools Consent Project, shared that the charity was invited to work with the production from the start. The play's success from stage to screen has helped the organisation run workshops for over 55,000 school-age children, teaching them the legal definition of consent. When the production moved to Broadway, it brought the Schools Consent Project to New York City, where they opened a US branch to run similar workshops in local schools.

At first glance has also partnered with Everyone's Invited, a charity that provides a safe space for survivors to tell their stories. As the live recording reaches more and more viewers, the charity has received a growing number of testimonies from survivors seeking catharsis, empowerment and a sense of community and hope. Much like the play, the charity helps survivors regain their voice.

As a former lawyer, Miller knew that many in the legal industry are so caught up in the stresses of day-to-day life that they lose sight of the bigger picture. At first glance serves as a clear reminder of the urgent work that still needs to be done. It is safe to say that At first glance deserves a place on every law student’s required reading list.

NTLive: At first glance is in cinemas worldwide from today (September 12, 2024).