By Gianna Mulvey
This year’s fall play put on by Western New England University’s Stageless Players was none other than Twelve Angry Jurors. The play follows (you guessed it) twelve angry jurors as they deliberate the fate of a young boy who has been charged with the stabbing and murder of his father.
At the beginning of the play, every juror apart from Juror #8 votes guilty. The rest of the play follows Juror #8’s attempt to sway the vote and elicit a deep deliberation of what it means to deem someone guilty of a crime and what “beyond a reasonable doubt” means in this context.
Themes such as stereotyping, racism, violence, and unfairness in the judicial system were ever-present throughout the hour-and-a-half performance. These themes kept the audience on their toes and engaged with the problems that the characters faced. The conflict and tension throughout the play slowly rise as each character reveals what they think about the case and how their beliefs impact the other jurors. It was a tense watch, but one that was immensely worth it.
Although there were no set changes throughout the whole production, and a majority of the story took place through conversations at a large table, the play was still able to capture a lively performance through the small actions of the characters. Whether it be flipping through a notebook, standing up to get a drink of water, or fidgeting with a pen, each of these smaller actions added to the overall buildup of tension in the play.
The actors and actresses put on an amazing and captivating performance that kept me on the edge of my seat while I watched the fate of a young boy be deliberated in the hands of such distinct characters. Ally Provost as Juror #8 and Katherine Greenwood as Juror #3 were perfect in their roles as protagonist and antagonist. As their two characters clashed throughout the play, I was left wondering if they would ever see eye to eye on the case. The conclusion to their back and forth was satisfying and full of subtext as the play fell to its end. The techies did a fantastic job with the set and lighting, which added to the immersion and depth of the story.
Twelve Angry Jurors was such a distinct and impactful play that included heavy themes, captivating performances, and an incredible story. I enjoyed every moment of my time watching the performance and was left satisfied at the play’s conclusion.
