Challenging the System

With the sun out and the days getting longer, I’ve been making the most of it by diving into some powerful reads—and this week’s pick is a heavy hitter. Prima Facie by Suzie Miller is a play that hit me like a freight train, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I know, I know—plays don’t always get the same hype as novels, but this one is something special. I had to sit with it for a while after finishing because it left me reeling. It’s not just a story—it’s a gut-wrenching exploration of justice, power, and the devastating ways the legal system can fail those who need it most. If you’re in the mood for something thought-provoking and emotionally charged, this is definitely a must-read. So let’s dive in.

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

At the heart of the play is Tessa, a fierce and brilliant barrister who’s clawed her way to the top in a world dominated by men. She’s sharp, confident, and unapologetic in her defence of the law. But her world is turned upside down when she becomes a victim of sexual assault, an experience that shatters her once-unwavering faith in the legal system she’s dedicated her life to. As Tessa navigates the reality of being on the other side of the courtroom, Miller’s play confronts the audience with hard truths about the burden of proof in sexual assault cases and the devastating impact of institutional power dynamics.

As a former lawyer myself, I found this perspective shift absolutely fascinating. It’s one thing to defend someone in court, to be armed with the law and logic, but it’s a completely different story when you’re suddenly the one seeking justice—especially in a system that’s so heavily skewed against victims of sexual violence. Miller does an incredible job of peeling back the layers of the legal system to expose its flaws, particularly when it comes to cases of sexual assault. Tessa’s journey is both heartbreaking and eye-opening, and it left me with so many questions about the nature of justice and whether it can ever truly be served in a system like this.

One of the most powerful aspects of Prima Facie is how it brings attention to the way the legal system often re-traumatises victims. Tessa’s experience in the courtroom—once her domain of control and authority—becomes a nightmare of invasive questions, disbelief, and legal loopholes that favour the accused. It’s brutal to read, but that’s the point. Miller doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths, and her writing is sharp, direct, and unrelenting. She pulls you into Tessa’s world with such intensity that it’s impossible to remain a passive observer. You feel her frustration, her anger, and her deep sense of betrayal by a system she once trusted implicitly.

A word of caution, though: this play comes with some heavy trigger warnings, particularly around sexual assault and trauma. Miller handles these topics with care, but the material is undeniably confronting. For anyone who has experienced something similar or finds these topics particularly difficult, I’d recommend approaching the play with caution. It’s an important story, no doubt, but it’s also a tough one.

What makes Prima Facie stand out isn’t just the story itself, but the way it forces you to grapple with the big questions. What does justice really look like in cases of sexual assault? How do we navigate a legal system that demands proof beyond a reasonable doubt when so much of the trauma is internal, invisible? And most importantly, how do we begin to challenge a system that so often fails those who need it most?

If you’re at all interested in the interplay of law, gender, and power—or if you’re someone who likes their reading material to challenge you and make you think—Prima Facie is a must. It’s not an easy read by any means, but it’s an essential one. Suzie Miller has written something that’s as devastating as it is thought-provoking, a story that will have you questioning the very systems we’re supposed to trust for justice. And isn’t that the best kind of storytelling? The kind that leaves you a little shaken, a little uncomfortable, but ultimately more aware of the world around you?

So, as I continue to bask in the glorious spring sunshine, I’ll leave you with this: Prima Facie is a play that demands to be read and reckoned with. It’s a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to challenge injustice and the devastating consequences when justice isn’t served. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what great literature (or in this case, theatre) is all about? Making us see the world a little differently, even if it’s through a difficult, heart-wrenching lens.

Add this one to your list and let me know what you think, because life is too short to read bad books.