I Wish You Well - The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical

Norwich Theatre Playhouse's Festival of New Musicals opened on Tuesday, and runs until Sunday July 28th. It features a trilogy of brand new shows, each one of which will later travel to this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It kicked off last night with the hilarious parody courtroom drama 'I Wish You Well', a (mostly) true story, centred on the media circus that surrounded a Utah courtroom last year as retired optometrist Terry Sanderson attempted to claim $300,000 damages from film star Gwyneth Paltrow for alleged brain injuries resulting from a collision on the ski slopes of Park City, Utah. Paltrow had to appear in court, where she proceeded with a counter-claim for $1 damages.

Over the course of sixty celebrity obsessed minutes we become alluringly acquainted with the flamboyant Judge Jude (Idriss Kargbo), and with obviously star-struck lawyer Kristin (Tori-Allen Martin), as each attempts to grab their share of the limelight whilst the glare of the world's media is upon them. But shining brighter than both is former X-Factor star Diana Vickers. As Paltrow she is superb, sparring wonderfully with star-struck attorney Kristin, showering the court with gifts, and handing out lifestyle advice. Marc Antolin, as the aggrieved plaintiff, perversely gains my sympathy as Terry - obviously malingering yet attempting to counter the full force of Paltrow's holistic assault, and the court‘s seeming obsession over her friendship with Taylor Swift. And, even though we know how the verdict is going to go, the tension within the script keeps us enthralled until the final ruling is announced.