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It's the hottest day of the year. There's a storm in the air. On this day, the last day of a serious and persevering murder trial with an overwhelming burden of proof takes place: A 19-year-old from a slum district stabbed his father in the fight with an extremely striking knife.


The prosecution presented two credible witnesses. Both of them watched the young person perform the act and saw him run away shortly afterwards. Reginald Rose's play "The Twelve Jury" begins at the end of the trial when the jury withdrew for deliberation. We get to know twelve New York men and women of completely different characters and temperaments, whose only common denominator is that they have been chosen to make a unanimous verdict in this murder trial. In a confined space, closed off from the outside world, they give advice.

Since the case is clear, the meeting is expected to end soon. Eleven of the jury members immediately agree: the defendant is guilty. One, however, opposes the majority: he has a "well-founded doubt" and therefore pleads not guilty. Deciding on a person's life and death is at least worthy of a fair discussion. There's a lot of misunderstanding among the jury members. They try to convince the doubter of their guilty verdict with more or less convincing arguments.

The testimonies are discussed in detail, the murder weapon is reviewed, as well as the crime scene plan and the motive. And suddenly, after a closer analysis, the evidence doesn't seem to be conclusive. The heated feelings collide, friction and disputes determine the discussion. The atmosphere in the room is tense to tears. But little by little the wall of prejudices and quick conclusions becomes fragile.... What's the risk of getting an innocent man executed?

  • Director: Wolfgang Rumpf
  • by Reginald Rose
  • Edited for the Berliner Kriminal Theater and directed by Wolfgang Rumpf
  • Equipment: Manfred Bitterlich

mit: Renate Blume / Katrin Martin; Daniella Erdmann; Bibiana Malay; Alexandra Madincea; Sara Wehrs; Karl-Heinz Barthelmeus; Thomas Hailer; Mario Krüger; Arne Lehmann; Kurt Naumann; Thomas Linke / Thomas Rudnick; Wolfram von Stauffenberg

(Program in German)

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Additional information
Participating artists
Wolfgang Rumpf (Regie)
Reginald Rose (Autor/in)
Manfred Bitterlich (Ausstattung)
Katrin Martin (Schauspieler/-in)
Karl-Heinz Barthelmeus (Schauspieler/-in)
Thomas Linke (Schauspieler/-in)
Nicole Bunge (Schauspieler/-in)
Jean Maesér (Schauspieler/-in)
Alexandra M. Johannknecht (Schauspieler/-in)
Mario Krüger (Schauspieler/-in)
Silvio Hildebrandt (Schauspieler/-in)
Gert Melzer (Schauspieler/-in)
Jenny Löffler (Schauspieler/-in)
Kristin Schulze (Schauspieler/-in)
Oliver Gabbert (Schauspieler/-in)
Dates
October 2024
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