Theatre Review: Twelve Angry Men

Grand Opera House, York— May 2024

A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging experience from start to finish…

The cast of this production truly shone, bringing depth and authenticity to their respective roles. Each actor invested their character with nuance and conviction, ensuring that the interactions between the jurors felt genuine and compelling.  

Of particular note were the performances of Jason Merrells as the steadfast Juror 8 and Tristan Gemmill as the volatile Juror 3. Although every performance was impressive and polished, and all combined to contribute to the rich texture of the play’s narrative.

Another impressive aspect of this performance was the skilful way that it managed to establish and maintain the sense of tension throughout. Through those performances you could feel the heat and humidity of the hot new York City day continue to build throughout the play, effortlessly reflecting the frustration of each juror. We watched at felt as that frustration translated into anger and rage in some moments, as they wrestled with a truly brutal moral question.

This was also due to an ingenious use of set design. You could hear and sense the rain beating down against the edge of the courtroom. This little detail transported us, the audience in the room, directly into their situation. It really made you feel as though, the critical decision — to decide between life and death, innocence and guilt, belonged to us too.

As the jurors debated the fate of the accused, the stakes gradually escalated, drawing the audience deeper into the moral dilemmas and interpersonal conflicts at play. The sense of anticipation and uncertainty made for a truly gripping theatrical experience and the production skilfully navigated its central moral themes. The moral dilemma faced by the jurors felt so relevant that it may as well have been written yesterday.

Although the production ran for around 2 hours, its quality and ability to engage the audience made that time fly-by.

Credit must also be given to the director and production team for their expert handling of the material.

The staging was minimalist yet impressive and impactful, managing to evoke a real sense of location and setting whilst allowing the focus to remain on the interactions between the jurors.

The pacing was expertly managed, ensuring that the narrative unfolded with precision and clarity.

Overall, this performance of “12 Angry Men” is an excellent combination of storytelling and theatrical craftsmanship.

With compelling characters, strong acting performances and thought-provoking themes, and expert execution, it left me with a lasting impression. If you are looking for a riveting and thought-provoking theatrical experience, “12 Angry Men” is not to be missed.

Buy your tickets for Twelve Angry Men at The Grand Opera House before it’s too late!