11½ Angry Men is billed as a “spoof” of the original play 12 Angry Men directed by Guy Masterson. The jury has been called to decide the fate of a 16 year old boy accused of the heinous murder of his father, with a sausage!

Upon entering the jurors’ room, the men begin by questioning why there are no women in the jury. It’s then pointed out that’s it is 1958 in America, and women were not allowed to participate. This descended into an unnecessary sexist rant about women’s place in society! Haven’t we heard all this before and moved on since then?

There’s an incredible number of talented cast members in this production who are underused by the director. The American accents were unbelievable, and a couple of the cast members I couldn’t clearly hear what they were saying at all.

For a play to be called a “hilariously spoof comedy,” I expected comedy and sharp delivery, especially with the high quality of the comedians in the cast. Instead, many of the one-liners fell flat and failed to reach the auditorium.

The highlight of the play for me was when Joe Pasquale gets onto the table in the jurors’ room and tap dances. As his character is fed up with being insulted and being called an “old man” by other members of the jury.

The actual discussion around around the case they are gathered in is mentioned throughout the play briefly. The rest of the play is about 11½ Angry egos vying for attention. Such a waste of all that talent. With so much choice across the Edinburgh Fringe, choose wisely.

For more information about 11½ Angry Men and other productions at Pentland Theatre at Pleasance at EICC, please use the link below.

One Star.

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/11-angry-men

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/11-12-angry-men

The jurors:

Stephen K Amos,

Joe Pasquale (Fringe debut!),

Tom Stade,

Spencer Jones,

Mark Maier,

Glenn Wool,

JJ Whitehead,

Ian Coppinger,

Terry Alderton,

David Calvitto,

Phil Nichol,

and Owen O’Neill.

Director Guy Masterson.