Die 12 Geschworenen

An Intimate Play by Reginald Rose
Directed by Martin Betz

A 16-year-old boy is accused of murdering his father. The trial is clearly heading in one direction: guilty. Now it is up to the 12 jurors to unanimously confirm the guilty verdict.
 

This is the premise of the 1954 play “Twelve Angry Men” by Reginald Rose, made famous by the 1957 film adaptation starring Henry Fonda. The twelve jurors are doing their job, but they all really just want to go home and wrap this up as quickly as possible. One of the jurors, however, has reservations. 

One might think that this play has had its day, but against the backdrop of current social and geopolitical developments, it becomes clear that, in addition to communication, issues such as racism, prejudice, and the treatment of minorities play a central role. Do people still talk to one another today, and if so, on what level, and is there genuine listening taking place? How quick are we to make hasty judgments and resort to stereotyping?

Do arguments still have an impact these days, or is the search for truth guided by what’s more convenient to believe, and/or do I follow the opinion that’s voiced the loudest?