A genuinely interactive and immersive piece of gaming theatre, Jury Duty is unquestionably responsible of providing a good time at Theatre Deli
“I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence”
The Justice Act 2023 has mandated that distant juries can now perform the enterprise of the Crown Court, in order we’re sequestered right into a nondescript workplace and sworn into our official position, the job of administering justice is left clearly in our arms. Such are the stakes specified by the opening moments of Jury Duty and it’s a blessed aid to search out theatre that describes itself as immersive and interactive turning out to be simply that (extra successfully so than Murder Trial Tonight as an illustration).
A representive from the Ministry of Justice (Joe Ball at this efficiency) takes us by means of the case – Harry Briggs (Eddie Evans right here) has been charged with arson, manslaughter and homicide and we’ve acquired 90 minutes to achieve a verdict. Piles of proof are there to be sifted, studies to be learn, blueprints to look at, police databases to interrogate, even an enormous whiteboard wall free for us to go full Carrie-from-Homeland (or maybe Juror Number 8) on.
Created by Ball and Evans with Tom Black and Ellie Russo, the eye to element right here is phenomenal. As we search out particulars, crack codes and snaffle out items of proof, the layers of storytelling are deeply spectacular and as we get the chance to query Briggs through video-link from Wandsworth Prison, Evans’ efficiency is just unbelievable in the way in which that he responds so vividly to the quite a few strains of questioning.
As with any type of immersive theatre, you do get again what you set in and so it maybe isn’t the sport for the extra shy and retiring, given the comparatively small teams right here, although Ball’s compere is all the time readily available to present an knowledgeable light nudge if wanted. And there’s one thing extremely satisfying about the way in which the conclusion is laid out, the area given for us to replicate on the decision reached and a efficiency overview supplied, displaying how good a job we did or didn’t do. Entertaining and illustrative.