Day 782 at Inner London Crown Court.  The lighting changes to underline the scene changes.  There are four women on the jury but women are not a guarantee of a verdict favouring the woman.  The defence barrister appears sympathetic, asking her if she is alright but asks how the man held both arms and had a hand over her face.  Her replies sound confused and she knows that the law is against her with its criterium of reasonable doubt. 

We now, the audience, have an explanation as to why so few cases of sexual assault reach the courts and a tiny minority have a guilty verdict.  The system favours the perpetrator.  If a woman puts herself in danger, by drinking excess alcohol her credibility will be questioned.  There are no independent witnesses to the assault.  She slept with him previously and consensually.

Tessa is crestfallen when she realises how the law’s truth works against her.  Julian’s friends cheer from the gallery.  This performance by  “Killing Eve” ‘s Vilanelle has to be the best London stage debut of an actor known for television and film.  It has long been sold out for a relatively short run at the theatre but will go to cinemas from 22nd June with NT Live this year so many more can see the nuances of her extraordinary unveiling of a barrister who now feels empathy.