This weekend marks a theatrical milestone in Bengaluru as the Alchemy Theatre Society gears up to present the Hindi adaptation of “12 Angry Men.” Originally a remarkable 1954 teleplay by Reginald Rose, the piece has journeyed through time, morphing into various renditions on both screen and stage across different tongues. Under the astute direction of Piyush Nain, the society is set to enrapture audiences with this intense courtroom drama.
The story, which has been influential in shaping judicial drama as a genre, was translated to Hindi cinema in 1986 with the film “Ek Ruka Hua Faisla.” Drawing inspiration from these iterations, Piyush Nain mentions, “We’ve tweaked the script a bit for our production here.” India’s Alchemy Theatre Society, no stranger to metropolitan audiences given their performances in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chandigarh, has a further treat planned. Following the Bengaluru shows, the play is scheduled to visit stages in Mysore and Hyderabad as per Satyam Gangwar, the society’s founder.
Last year, the group presented Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” achieving marked success that swept multiple cities, which spurred the troupe to explore yet more dramatic terrain. According to Piyush, “We realized audiences had an appetite for drama, and we could explore other genres as well.”
The troupe has grown intimately familiar with “12 Angry Men,” having mounted the production previously on various platforms, not least during their college years where many of its members met and cultivated their shared passion for theater. This iteration, however, is poised to be their first commercial venture of the play. Piyush reveals, “Without the restrictions imposed by college fests, we have been able to improve the script and cast for the play.” They completed these refinements last October, promising a polish that could only come from heart-driven dedication.
At the core of “12 Angry Men” is a gripping narrative that revolves around a deliberation room, encapsulating the tension and responsibility shouldered by twelve jurors. Their daunting task: To determine the fate of a youth accused of parricide. Yet beneath the surface lies a seething commentary on social justice — a reflection on how society’s preconceptions, predicated on socio-economic standings, seep into perceptions of guilt or innocence. Piyush accentuates this particular aspect, alluding to the intricate weaving of “multiple prejudices, the weight of circumstantial evidence, and peer pressure” into the fabric of their script.
Piyush, with a hint of jest, suggests, “On the off chance, one hasn’t seen the movie before this, I hope interested theatergoers don’t watch it before the weekend — it will only ruin the suspense.” He further notes that the cast comprises corporate professionals who are melding their professional and artistic aspirations to bring this performance to life—a labor of love forged by their consummate passion for theater.
This will be the first full-length staging of “12 Angry Men” in Bengaluru, scheduled at the prestigious Jagriti Theatre on January 26 and 27. To accommodate the anticipation of eager audiences, tickets are priced at ₹400 and can be acquired via BookMyShow and the Jagriti Box Office. Those curious about upcoming shows and timings can visit www.alchemytheatresociety.com for more information.
Poised on the cusp of a cultural treat, the city’s theater enthusiasts eagerly await the Alchemy Theatre Society’s take on this enduring piece of dramatic literature. As rehearsed lines simmer behind the curtains, “12 Angry Men” is set to rekindle the fiery dialogue between justice and prejudice, offering a thought-provoking experience that is bound to stay with viewers long after the final curtain call.
