Newport Playgoers production of Richard Harris’ Dead Guilty follows the ensuing events of a car crash in which John Haddrell dies of a heart attack leaving the woman travelling with him, his lover Julia Darrow with severe leg injuries and in a depressed state.

The counsel of therapist Anne Bennett or the help and support of a chirpy good looking handyman in the form of Gary do little to recover Julia’s mind state. However; when John’s wife turns up seeking a form of closure and apparently unaware of her husband’s indiscretion, Julia forges a new friendship.

However events take a curious twist when items in Julia’s home begin disappearing and appearing without good explanation giving Julia reason to suspect those closer to her.

Dead Guilty may not score a lot of points in intrigue as it doesn’t take long to figure out exactly what is going on, but it does feature some excellently directed scenes by Moira Mainwaring and a fabulous cast. Nicola Carlyle gives a tormented portrayal of Julia Darrow, who on the surface seems to be a tragic and largely misunderstood soul while Clare Drewett-Ward delivers a spell binding portrayal of Widow Margaret Haddrell. Both actresses come into their own at the thriller climax, with powerful displays of acting.

There is also strong support from Christine Burrows as therapist Anne Bennett and a welcome return to the Dolman stage of Jamie Jarvis who holds his own as the only male member of a predominantly female cast.

Dead Guilty continues at The Dolman Theatre until Saturday.