This double bill of legal comedies showcased the wit and skill of John Mortimer as well as displaying the versatility of the cast but it still stopped short of providing a memorable evening.

The first play, The Dock Brief, should have been written as radio entertainment.

Set entirely within the confines of a grey prison cell, the dialogue-heavy two-hander required minimal action.

The comedy elicited wry smiles rather than belly laughs and the lack of visual stimulation made it instantly forgettable.

That said, Edward Fox was utterly convincing as the incompetent barrister Morganhall, and Nicholas Woodeson performed the various parts of self-confessed murderer, pompous judge, experts and witnesses with energy and flair.

Yet not even these two veteran actors could compensate for the dramatic shortcomings in the play.

The second drama, Edwin, was set in the summery garden of Sir Fennimore Truscott (Fox), a retired high court judge who amuses himself by accusing his best friend Tom (Woodeson) of "rogering" his wife.

The wordplay was priceless but unfortunately you could see the play's punchline coming a mile off.

On the whole, Legal Fictions offered a pleasant enough evening's entertainment but neither play packed enough of a punch to make a lasting impression.