Trial records are used for the court scenes but supposition is used elsewhere. Two are dull but others shine.
Elaine Paige is wonderful as vindictive Irish maid Kate Webster, particularly her last-night confession, when she relishes every gory detail with her horrified priest (Michael Kitchen).
Joanna David is also effective as hysterical Mary Pearcy, murderer of the wife and child of her lover (Paul Nicholas).
Joan Sims is an addled delight as Victorian baby-farmer/murderer Amelia Dyer while Rita Tushingham is touchingly pathetic as alledged husband-killer Charlotte Bryant
Overshadowing them all is Georgina Hale who is breathtaking as Ruth Ellis. Maintaining her facade and clipped fake Mayfair accent until almost the end, she is magnificently brittle, kittenish, icy, and haughty allowing moments of pain to seep through.
Shelf or charity shop? Shelf for the concise storytelling, excellent supporting performances - watch out for Doreen Mantle, Deborah Norton, Linda Polan, Leslie French, Belinda Sinclair and June Barry - but above all for Georgina Hale.
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