Contemporary 12 Angry Men for Phoenix Ensemble
Phoenix Ensemble will explore morality, conscience and human nature in a contemporary re-imagining of the classic play, 12 Angry Men, over four weekends at the boutique Pavilion Theatre in Beenleigh (S.E. Queensland) from 26 July, 2013.
The award-winning play is set in a jury room where 12 men must determine the guilt or innocence of a 19 year-old man. At the beginning, they have a nearly unanimous decision of guilty, with a single dissenter who then sets about sowing a seed of reasonable doubt.
Director Heather Scott had long been aware of the American play but it wasn’t until she saw a Russian film translation titled ‘12’, which won the Oscar for best foreign film, that she was inspired to tackle the story. ‘The performances were so captivating and I remember thinking how powerful this would be on the Phoenix stage.’
The film showed how location and era were nowhere as important to the story as its themes and tensions, an emphasis Heather has adopted in bringing 12 Angry Men to the stage.
‘Instead of setting it in the 50s as written, we've decided that location and time are irrelevant to the power of the story, so it has a contemporary feel, but isn’t set in a particular place or time.
‘The story and themes are as relevant today as they were in the 50s. Prejudices against race and social status are still a common occurrence in our society and 12 Angry Men, I think, holds a mirror up to ourselves and might make us think twice about some of the decisions we have made’.
Heather also chose to go with an all-male cast as the play was originally written. ‘There is a version of the script where some of the jurors are female but to be honest I think it would totally change the dynamic and tension of the piece. Having 12 strong male actors on stage is rare in community theatre and I'm thrilled that I was able to cast an ensemble of men so easily.’
The Phoenix production also takes a fresh approach to set design. ‘I've decided to get rid of anything that isn't absolutely essential to help tell the story, therefore the juror deliberation table is gone and that has really helped the actors express themselves more freely,’ Heather said.
‘I've encouraged them to explore all options when delivering lines. It's important the 12 characters have very solid back stories to help ground them and allow the audience to really see their different personalities and the personal struggles they face when making a decision that could send a young man to his death.’
12 Angry Men
Venue: Pavilion Theatre, Beenleigh Showgrounds, James Street, Beenleigh
26, 27 July and 2,3, 9, 10, 16, 17 August at 7.30pm
Bookings: 3103 1546 or online: www.phoenixensemble.com.au
Images: (top) Gareth Ward and Luke Hutley face off and (lower) the cast of 12 Angry Men.
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