Theatre News

Robert Vaughn, Martin Shaw and Nick Moran star in Twelve Angry Men at West End’s Garrick Theatre, 11 Nov

A new all-star West End production of Twelve Angry Men will pay tribute to the 1957 Hollywood film classic, produced by and starring Henry Fonda

Robert Vaughn
Robert Vaughn

Hollywood stalwart turned Hustle star Robert Vaughn will join Martin Shaw, Nick Moran and Jeff Fahey will star in a major West End revival of courtroom classic Twelve Angry Men, which will open at the West End’s Garrick Theatre on 11 November 2013 (previews from 7 November).

Originally written, by Reginald Rose, as a television play in 1954, Twelve Angry Men was adapted for the stage in 1955 and as a Oscar-nominated Hollywood film, produced by and starring Henry Fonda in 1957. This new production, directed by Christopher Haydon, “pays tribute” to “one of the great ‘must-see’ movies of all time”.

Twelve jurors have murder on their minds and a life in their hands as they decide the fate of a young delinquent accused of killing his father. But what appears to be an open and shut case soon becomes a dilemma for the twelve, as their prejudices and preconceived ideas about the accused, the trial and each other turn the tables every which way, until the nail-biting climax…

American actor Robert Vaughn, now 80, will make a rare London stage appearance to play Juror #10, Ed Begley’s role in the original film. Vaughn has himself appeared in myriad American screen classics including The City Jungle (for which he was Oscar nominated) and in three films opposite Steve McQueen: The Magnificent Seven, The Towering Inferno and Bullitt. His TV credits include US series’ The Man from U.N.C.L.E, The Protectors, 80’s hit The A-Team and more recently as ‘Albert Stoller’ in BBC‘s Hustle.

Martin Shaw, who star as Juror #8, the role made famous on screen by Henry Fonda, has most recently been seen in the West End in The Country Girl and A Man for All Seasons. On TV, he’s best known for Judge John Deed and The Professionals.

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Harry Potter screen star Nick Moran will play Juror #7, originally played by Jack Warden, and indie film star Jeff Fahey will star as Juror #3, the role originated by screen legend Lee J Cobb.

Prior to the West End, Twelve Angry Men will visit Birmingham Rep (4-19 October), Theatre Royal Norwich (21-26 October) and Malvern Festival Theatre (28 October-2 November). The revival is produced by Bill Kenwright in association with Birmingham Rep and Nica Burns.

Currently at the Garrick Theatre, Broadway headbanging musical Rock of Ages closes on 2 November 2013.