OBSERVING a Victorian court in action was an eye-opener to the 200 people who packed out Usk's historical courtroom to see magistrates and solicitors acting out real cases.

Unlike the sombre courts of today, the onlookers at the Sessions House cheered and jeered as harsh sentences in scenes more reminiscent of a music hall theatre act, were dished out exactly as they would have been during the 19th Century.

The trials, which were adapted from actual transcripts included neighbourhood disputes, stabbings and passing counterfeit coins.

Prisoners were sentenced to a range of punishments including transportation to Australia to imprisonment with hard labour.

It is the first time that 'justice' has been seen to be handed out in the courtroom since the building - which had been administrating local justice since 1877 - ceased being an active Magistrates Court in June 1995.

Two willing solicitors from the 21st Century were drafted in to portray their Victorian counterparts to provide both prosecution and defence counsel.

The cast stuck to the main scripted version of the production, but it had enough flexibility to enable the court to responded to the hecklers' outbursts with imaginative ad-libbing - especially from the judge who was fond of sending people down to the cells.

"The event was organised to celebrate 650 years of magistrates in the UK, and was an incredible success," said Revis Williams, one of the magistrates who donned period costume to take part.

"Some people thought we were professional actors, which was very flattering.

Everyone involved had a marvellous time and some of my colleagues are saying we should do it again – maybe even put on a panto," she added.

The Newport Playgoers Society played a key role in the success of the mock trials by lending Victorian costumes from their extensive wardrobe at the Dolman Theatre to this new drama.

"We were only too happy to help out," said Phil Mansell, a society spokesperson.

"Two of our members wrote the script and took part, playing people in the dock on the receiving end of some tough sentences. The magistrates were so grateful they have made a donation to our wardrobe department."

•