On Stage: 12 Angry Actors

When someone has served a prison sentence have they truly paid their debt to society?

This is the complex question at the heart of 12 Angry Actors, a new Australian play written by experienced actor Brian Vriends and criminal defence lawyer and actor Celine Khoury.

Developed over seven years, 12 Angry Actors tells of a theatre company about to stage a major production.

From the first rehearsal it’s clear there’s already some tension in the group as a result of previous relationships but things seem to be progressing without too many hitches.

Then the new president of the company Cecilia (Ursula Searle) makes a phone call to criminal lawyer and cast member Kay (Celine Khoury).  One of the actors had been jailed for a horrific crime. The crime occurred many years ago and he has lived an incident-free life since then. Cecilia wants to know the company’s liabilities if that person continues in the play.

Despite Cecilia’s expectation Kay will keep the information to herself, Kay eventually tells on-and-off-again boyfriend and fellow cast member Ted (Alexander Given).  Eventually all the cast members know as do members of the public.

While Cecilia and the show’s very flamboyant director Danni (Kathy Richer) believe the actor should continue in the role, they realise the other players also have to have their say. So, they call for a vote- should the actor stay or go?

Each of the players  – Neville (Ali Samaei), Audrey (Claire Warrillow), Justin (Jacob Saunders), Dimity (Joanna Karanikolopoulos), Mary (Esther B Ebony), Thomas (Faouzi Daghistani), and Matthew (Monty Burgess) as well as Kay and Ted then express their thoughts on the matter.

As we discover during the 100-minute play several have strong and understandable reasons for their opinions based on personal histories, hidden prejudices and long-buried trauma.

Complex issues, such as where punishment ends, whether rehabilitation is truly possible and if society is ever willing to forgive, are facing each of the actors. And, without giving too much away, also the audience.

As Vriends explains: “What drew me to 12 Angry Actors is that it refuses to offer simple questions.  It asks audiences to wrestle with difficult questions about justice, redemption and whether we really believe people deserve a second chance.”

Added Khoury: “As a criminal defence lawyer I have spent my career representing people at the worst moments of their lives.  This play isn’t about telling audiences what to think.  It’s about asking whether we genuinely believe people can change or whether redemption is something we can only support in theory.”

The script allows each of the characters to support arguments  for and against redemption.  As such each actor in the play is also given a chance to showcase their stage craft as they tell their characters’ personal stories during the Asamina Theatre Company produced play.

All 11 cast members (a 12th participant is revealed during the play) take full advantage of the opportunity ensuring some interesting post-show discussions.

12 Angry Actors is playing at Melbourne’s Meat Market until August 30.

Jenny Burns attended a performance of August 29 as a guest of the production company.

*Photo credit: Pooja Sathish