Prima Facie

The Australian hit and West End sell out!
Winner of two 2023 Laurence Olivier Awards including ‘Best New Play.’

Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie is a one-woman masterpiece with the weight to shift perspectives and question what’s black and white in the eyes of justice.

Aotearoa’s own Acushla-Tara Kupe steps into the formidable role of Tessa Ensler for the New Zealand premiere season directed by Paul Gittins (Blonde Poison, Snowflake, Faith Healer), who will work with an elite crew of award-winning designers and intimacy coordinator Miriama McDowell to bring this gripping production to the Herald Theatre stage.

Tessa Ensler is a case-winning criminal defence barrister addicted to the law. Hustling from underprivileged beginnings to reach the top of her game, she’s ruthless, respected and knows exactly how to use the law to defend men facing sexual assault charges.

It’s all power and success until a life-shattering event shakes Tessa’s fervent belief in the law, placing her in the very chair she’s built her career tearing to pieces in the name of fair trial. Forcing her to confront a legal system that’s engineered to fail her and the many survivors of sexual assault she herself has cross examined.

Prima Facie was first produced by Griffin Theatre Company in May 2019 at the SBW Stables Theatre.