12 Angry Men
1. Synopsis
"One man is dead. The life of another is at stake."
Twelve Angry Men is the gripping, penetrating, and engrossing examination of a diverse group of twelve male jurors who are uncomfortably brought together to hear the 'facts' in a seemingly open-and-shut murder trial case.
They retire to a jury room to do their civic duty and serve up a just verdict for the young male defendant whose life is in the balance --- but is there a reasonable doubt?
2. Characters
The Twelve Jurors: (Also small walk on part for the guard - 3 appearances and a couple of lines.) All Jurors are on-stage for the entire play, which is in 2 acts.
The Jurors are know only by their voting order numbers.
* Juror #1: (The Foreman): A high-school assistant head coach, doggedly concerned to keep the proceedings formal and maintain authority; easily frustrated and sensitive when someone objects to his control; inadequate for the
job as foreman, not a natural leader and over-shadowed by Juror # 8's natural leadership.
* Juror #2: A wimpy, balding bank clerk/teller, easily persuaded, meek, hesitant, goes along with the majority, eagerly offers cough drops to other men during tense times of argument; better memory than # 4 about film title.
* Juror #3: Runs a messenger service (the "Beck and Call" Company), a bullying, rude and husky man, extremely opinionated and biased, completely intolerant, forceful and loud-mouthed, temperamental and vengeful;
estrangement from his own teenaged son causes him to be hateful and hostile toward all young people (and the defendant); arrogant, quick-angered, quick-to-convict.
* Juror #4: Well-educated, smug and conceited, well-dressed stockbroker, presumably wealthy; studious, methodical, possesses an impressive recall and grasp of the facts of the case; common-sensical, dispassionate,
cool-headed and rational, yet stuffy and prim; often displays a stern glare; treats the case like a puzzle to be deductively solved rather than as a case that may send the defendant to death; claims that he never sweats.
* Juror #5: Naive, insecure, frightened, reserved; grew up in a poor urban neighborhood and the case resurrected in his mind that slum-dwelling upbringing; a guilty vote would distance him from his past.
* Juror #6: A typical "working man," not quick-witted, experiences difficulty in making up his own mind, a follower; probably a manual laborer or painter; respectful of older juror and willing to back up his words with fists.
* Juror #7: Clownish, impatient salesman, a flashy dresser, gum-chewing, obsessed baseball fan who wants to leave as soon as possible to attend evening game; throws wadded up paper balls at the fan; uses baseball metaphors
and references throughout all his statements (he tells the foreman to "stay in there and pitch"); lacks complete human concern for the defendant and for the immigrant juror; extroverted; votes with the majority.
* Juror #8: Instigates a thoughtful reconsideration of the case against the accused; a liberal-minded, patient truth-and-justice seeker who uses soft-spoken, calm logical reasoning; balanced, decent, courageous,
well-spoken and concerned; considered a do-gooder (who is just wasting others' time) by some of the prejudiced jurors.
* Juror #9: Eldest man in group, white-haired, thin, retiring and resigned to his advancing years but has a resurgence of life during deliberations; soft-spoken but perceptive, fair-minded. A decent man.
* Juror #10: A garage owner, who simmers with anger, bitterness, racist bigotry; nasty, repellent, intolerant, reactionary and accusative; segregates the world into 'us' and 'them'; needs the support of others to reinforce his manic rants.
* Juror #11: A watchmaker, speaks with an immigrants accent, a recent refugee and immigrant; expresses reverence and respect for democracy, its system of justice, and the infallibility of the Law.
* Juror #12: Well-dressed, smooth-talking business ad man with thick black glasses; doodles cereal box slogan and packaging ideas for "Rice Pops"; superficial, easily-swayed, and easy-going; vacillating, lacks deep convictions or belief
system; uses advertising talk at one point: "run this idea up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes it".
Note on Accents - Although the play is originally set in New York City and we may well have a Manhattan skyline showing through the window I will attempt to minimize the use of specific accents. I want to try for a natural sounding
production that only uses specific accents where necessary.
Audition
Saturday 23rd January 14:00 - 18:00 (But I don't expect to keep them that long). At the Cafe Odeon Weimerskirch.
Audition Style
I use a combination of abstract theatre warmups and games to get an idea of how people move and look together, which do also include a few improvisations. I would like to underline that this is not to test anyone's improv
skills, this is a scripted play after all, but a quick way for me to see the actors in various groups and expressions. I don't sweat it too much.
We will specifically have some goes at entering the jury room and going from angry to other moods.
In addition we will do short readings from the play for actors who have an interest in particular parts and some short various readings from the play for actors with no preference for a role. If somebody brings something they
would prefer to read they are welcome.
Call-backs
I really like to avoid this if I can. If we get enough men turn up we should be able to get it cast by up to 3 days, hopefully before. I very much don't like messing actors around so I'll call everyone personally as soon as I know.
7. Unable to make the Audition
The best way to get me is via email brian(at)parker(dot)lu
It is possible to phone but I am often very busy in the day time so I prefer email. But if someone needs to call me I'm on 621-185413.