Inquest is a 1931 British mystery play

Mystery play

Mystery plays and miracle plays are among the earliest formally developed plays in medieval Europe. Medieval mystery plays focused on the representation of Bible stories in churches as tableaux with accompanying antiphonal song...

 written by Michael Barringer

Michael Barringer

Michal Barringer was a British writer, screenwriter and playwright. He also occasionally served as film director, directing four films early in his career...

. It was first staged as the Windmill Theatre

Windmill Theatre

The Windmill Theatre, later The Windmill International, was a variety and revue theatre in Great Windmill Street, London. The theatre was famous for its nude tableaux vivants...

's first performance in 1931, and was later adapted into films in 1931

Inquest (1931 film)

Inquest is a 1931 British crime film directed by G.B. Samuelson and starring Campbell Gullan, Mary Glynne, Haddon Mason and Sidney Morgan. It was based on a play by Michael Barringer, which was adapted for a film again in 1939....

 and 1939

Inquest (1939 film)

Inquest is a 1939 British crime film directed by Ray Boulting and starring Elizabeth Allan, Herbert Lomas, Hay Petrie and Barbara Everest. A young widow is accused of murder, and enlists the support of a King's Counsel to help prove her innocence...

.

A young widow is suspected or murdering her husband by the coroner

Coroner

A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...

. To prove her innocence she enlists the help of a leading King's Counsel, who reluctantly agrees to assist her but soon becomes convinced of her innocence. Together they hunt down the real murderer.