The winner receives tickets to see the London production of Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall.
Author Kate Mosse and Agatha Christie’s great grandson James Prichard has announced the winner of the Witness for the Prosecution story writing competition for secondary school students, which was launched in January to celebrate celebrate 2000 performances of Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall.
For the competition, budding authors in Years 7 – 9 were invited to write a short thriller of up to 2000 words inspired by Witness for the Prosecution for the chance to win tickets for their class to see the theatre production at County Hall.
The winner was announced to be Year 7 Student Leo Weekes from King’s School in
Winchester for his story The Handshake.
Kate Mosse said: “We loved The Handshake for its clever plotting, for its sense of
atmosphere and place, its satisfying final twist – it’s a wonderful tribute to the great Agatha Christie.”
Meanwhile, winner Leo Weekes said: “I love reading murder mystery stories and have wanted to try writing one of my own. I have recently gotten into listening to true crime podcasts. I wanted to use some of the facts I have learnt in true crime courtroom stories and combine them with inspiration and twists from Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution.”
Leo and his class will now attend a performance of Witness for the Prosecution at London’s historic County Hall on the South Bank.
Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. The stakes are high. Will he be able to convince the jury of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose?
Directed by Lucy Bailey, the production is designed by William Dudley with lighting design by Chris Davey and sound design Mic Pool.
Witness for the Prosecution continues to book at the London County Hall.