It is notable for being the first theatrical adaptation of the Meredith Kercher murder case, and the subsequent miscarriage of justice concerning Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito.
The play is both a true crime documentary and a classic courtroom drama depicting the Nencini trial that took place from September 2013[1] until January 2014[2] in Florence, Italy.
The play is an original work based on official courtroom transcripts, publicly available police documents and files, newspaper reports, and the author's own research.
Some of the characters, like Amanda Knox, who were not present in person at the Nencini trial, although their statements and witness depositions were provided to the Judges, were shown testifying to the court within the play, in order to keep the plot vivid and lively.
Amanda Marie Knox Raffaele Sollecito Judge Alessandro Nencini Vincente Petroscaglia, Defense Attorney Dr. Carla Collodi, Assistant Chief Prosecutor Of Perugia Meredith Kercher (Voice Over) Dr. Luca Lalli, pathologist Edgardo Giobbi, police officer Giuseppe Codispoti, CSI officer Dr. Patrizia Stefanoni, forensic scientist of the police Prof. Dr. Carla Vecchiotti, independent forensic scientist Rita Ficarra, police officer The opening night cast included Andrea Reinbacher, Nadine Konietzny, Bernhard Höfellner, Lisa Hanoeffner, Sascha Ciric, Patrick Brenner, Elke Heinrich as the voice of Meredith Kercher and the author of the play.
In the prologue of the play authentic video- and photo material is projected for the audience, while Meredith Kercher, as a wise voice from the afterlife, in heightened language narrates the story of the crime and the first two main trials.
While the prosecution puts forward a theory of three perpetrators of the crime, Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito and Rudy Guede, who murdered together for different reasons, the defense argues that Meredith Kercher was the victim of a sole killer, serial burglar Rudy Guede, who broke into the apartment in Via della Pergola 7, and was caught in the act by the victim returning home.
Petroscaglia reads the rest of the statement, to prove that originally Rudy Guede did not mention Sollecito but was tricked into it, during a recorded interruption of this first interrogation.
But the Judge denies the request to hear that witness, even if Guede is the only person whose presence at the crime scene at the night of the murder is undoubtedly confirmed.
In the even more forceful interrogation of Officer Ficarra Petroscaglia can show that Knox’ 1.45 statement, memoriale one, was made under extreme suggestive pressure and duress, and was the result of a highly illegal questioning.
The Second Act starts again with a monologue of Amanda Knox on the Meta level of the plot, in which she tells us, how she met Meredith Kercher for the first time, and also explains how naïve she had been, when she first came to Perugia not knowing what life would hold in store for her.
Throughout the second act, whenever time shifts happen, monologues of the Amanda character are placed, so that the audience can find many-sided ways to identify with her and her subjective point of view.
In the cross examination that follows Collodi tries to lead Vecchiotti astray but the witness, grown confident during her questioning, lectures the prosecutor on scientific thinking instead.
The play ends with a quotation from Jean De La Bruyere "One Person who is wrongfully convicted is the concern of every decent human being" Felix Drexler wrote in his review in the Burghauser Anzeiger: "Based on the actual files and events of the murder case surrounding Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, a case that happened in 2007 in Perugia, Italy, and that stirred a lot of controversy both in the justice system and the media, author and director Stefan Limbrunner created a spellbinding and extremely gripping courtroom drama."
He further noted that "taking into account that authentic photo and video material was presented, the precision of detail and truth to reality Stefan Limbrunner is employing is impossible to surpass" Drexler especially praised the actors, writing "The mesmerizing performances and impressive use of language is stunning".