We sent team newbie Kyri Crombie to the courthouse. Here is his verdict…
A sixteen-year-old delinquent is accused of killing his father. The evidence Is stacked against him, a fait accompli, or is it? The jury are in a quandary about whether they should condemn the accused and slowly but surely the cracks appear. Preconceptions, prejudice, how the trial is being conducted and the various personalities involved throw everything up on the air. Twelve Angry Men (Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford – on tour), a stage adaptation of Reginald Rose’s TV drama which led to Sydney Lumet’s award-winning film of 1957. The question in my mind was not whether the kid is guilty or not but more if something written over seventy years ago would be relevant to today’s audiences. The answer to the question is simple, good drama is good drama regardless of era and Christopher Hayden’s production is both tantalising and thrilling.
Imagine the scene, twelve blokes in a jury room and eleven are convinced the verdict should be guilty but one, Juror 8 (Gray O’Brien) starts picking holes in the evidence and as so often happens others begin to doubt themselves. So we get an insight to each of the characters and personality types, who come from a range of different backgrounds. We also see and understand why the cracks appear. And what a bunch they are, ranging from Juror 10 (Tristan Gemmill) who seems out of control, a fiery persona with discriminatory views coursing through his permanently bulging veins and the far more conflicted Juror 3 (Bill Ward) who seems to be of the same ilk but later displays a more sensitive side.
They are all in their own way full of contradictions and doubt, and that is why the play is such a riveting watch because these men are just like you and me. Clarity and certainty are what we often verbalise but just below the surface is lots of self doubt and it is only Juror 8 who seems to be willing to voice those feelings. Nowadays when we are having a tough time we are encouraged to believe that “It’s ok not to be ok,” which this lot would struggle with, but not being sure Is also ok. Sounds like an easy thing to do but those of you reading this who have done jury service know that life is not that simple.
I must say Michael Pavelka’s set contributed greatly to all those feelings and disagreements, like an oppressive hellhole with no escape. Windows that appear to open to nowhere and a broken fan and slowly rotating table perfectly encapsulating the differences, the changing views and the journey to a nail-biting climax. By which time we too have had our own perceptions and prejudices challenged – especially as we hear the evidence later on, which throws everything up in the air. Witness to all of that was the post show conversation with my companion which almost ended in a Mrs Merton heated (but positive) debate. A two hour play set in one room, superbly written, performed and directed. My verdict? Brilliant, as charged.
Twelve Angry Men – www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
By Kyri Crombie
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan