Never has so much anger made me so happy

We go to a lot of theatre -- a lot. I am very fortunate to be invited to review shows at several local venues, so we often find ourselves attending a variety of shows of all kinds, from musicals to drama, comedies to romance, and for that I am very grateful. This month, I had the opportunity to take in a showing of 12 Angry Men at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend, Ontario.

I was already familiar with the story of 12 Angry Men, but in case you're not, here's a basic plot rundown:

When the curtain goes up, we find ourselves a fly on the wall of an empty jury room. Moments later, we overhear a judge giving an unseen jury directions to consider all the evidence when determining whether the accused is guilty or not guilty, a decision that would literally mean life or death for the accused.

1. Company in Twelve Angry Men, Drayton Entertainment, 2019 Season. Director Marti Maraden, Set Designer Allan Wilbee, Costume Designer Jennifer Wonnacott, Lighting Designer Louise Guinand. Photographer Darlene O'Rourke.

What follows is an emotional pressure cooker as the 12 jurors grapple with the task at hand, each bringing his own experiences and prejudices to the table as they try to come to a unanimous verdict. The numbers for and against bend and flex as each man follows his conscience down varying paths, until at last a decision is made. Will they be at a deadlock? Will they acquit? Convict? You're never really sure until the very end.

2. Skye Brandon as Juror #8 and Company in Twelve Angry Men, Drayton Entertainment, 2019 Season. Director Marti Maraden, Set Designer Allan Wilbee, Costume Designer Jennifer Wonnacott, Lighting Designer Louise Guinand. Photographer Darlene O'Rourke.

In this performance, the entire cast was superb, down to a man. There were no standouts, but that's not to say no one was stellar. In fact, it's the opposite. The cast worked together so well to create an ensemble so complete that each man's performance holds up the others, with no one overshadowing anyone else. In such a tale as this, that's exactly what you want, and that's exactly what the cast of 12 Angry Men presented by Drayton Entertainment delivers.

Get your tickets for this unforgettable performance today! Playing now through August 24 at Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, 46 Grand Ave. S. Cambridge, ON N1S 2L8. Tickets are available at draytonentertainment.com or by calling 1-855-DRAYTON.

Recommended for ages 12 and up. Run time is 2 hours and 25 minutes including one intermission.