This is a powerful and gripping drama which is set entirely in one room as the twelve jurors in a murder trial decide the fate of a 16 year old accused of murder with a death sentence if he's found guilty, writes Chris Gregg.
As the jurors deliberate and tempers become frayed it becomes clear that the case is not as clear cut as it first seems.
As the evidence is discussed and minds are changed, it becomes clear that some jurors' prejudices and preconceived ideas about the defendant may be affecting their judgment.
Based on the movie from 1957, this production was a huge hit in the West End where its intelligent, simple drama has gone down a storm.
This is an engrossing and compelling show which takes its drama from the performances and story with simple staging, although with impeccable attention to detail like working taps in the washroom section of the set, water running down the windows when it rains and the jurors sitting at a table that constantly revolves imperceptibly slowly so by the end the tables have literally turned!
Jason Merrells (Casualty, Emmerdale) takes over the role of Juror 8 from Patrick Duffy for the 2024 tour, with Tristan Gemmill (Coronation Street, Casualty), Michael Greco (EastEnders, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), Ben Nealon (Soldier Soldier, Doctors), Gary Webster (Minder, Family Affairs), and Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street, Peak Practice) all returning to their previous roles.
Completing the cast are Paul Beech, Samarge Hamilton, Jeffrey Harmer, Mark Heenehan, Kenneth Jay, Paul Lavers, Owen Oldroyd and Adam Phillip Bloom.
The movie was considered one of the great ‘must-sees’ of all time, and this stage version is equally unmissable with great performances and a script that doesn't shy away from tackling some big questions like whether justice can be relied on when it's in the hands of twelve potentially flawed individuals.
