My sister-in-law Barb has a knack for finding unusual activities.
We have walked alpacas on leashes. Taken a goat yoga class. And on the weekend, we became members of a fake jury for a mock court case. Allow me to explain.
The Jury Experience is described as an “immersive courtroom case.” It’s a play, presented with all the trimmings and the audience serves as the jury. Not only do we need to pay attention but it’s also up to us to decide the defendant’s fate.
Everybody’s Paddling
The show is being staged in cities around the world. We attended the Hamilton play at the Zoetic, a 350-seat art deco theatre on Concession Street. When you arrive, you’re handed a paddle to raise when you vote during the performance. And this is where it gets surprising.
My vote after the opening arguments, where the judge takes the temperature of the room, went one way. My final vote went another. Of course, all the evidence had been presented by the end. But still, it’s interesting to see (and hear) peoples’ reasoning for voting the way they do. We all saw the same evidence, right? The verdict ended up in a 56%/44% split.
I don’t want to give it all away but the case is very timely. The show is an hour long and feels a little intense (in a good way) because you’re paying close attention. We had scanned reviews prior to going and some were scathing. But we thought the cast was good. It was different and fun!
Some poor reviews were posted by lawyers who found it unconvincing. I’m sure I’d feel the same way about a play set in a radio station. In fact, I know I have. Liberties are taken for creative reasons. It’s not supposed to be 100% real.
The “Suze Pause”
Unbeknownst to us beforehand, my SIL’s friend Suzanne was sitting in the Jury Foreperson chair. We were in the front row. It was her task to announce the verdict to everyone. Microphone in hand, she gave a perfectly timed pause and swung around to face the audience. It might have been the biggest laugh of the night. Although, the woman playing the judge launched a few ad-libs that were very funny.
In Hamilton, they perform two shows every Saturday night. There are also performances in Toronto, Kingston, Vancouver, Edmonton, all over the US and Europe. It’s something different and if that’s your thing, we all recommend it. The theatre was sold out and that’s always a good sign.
Hi Lisa. A live show in a small intimate theatre, that provides drama, and humour, and demands the audience’s direct participation and it’s full attention; entertainment doesn’t get much better than that! Even I may stay awake for the whole presentation, and vote, if I were to be sitting in the front row. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy first row seating in live theatre presentations, but, at my stage of life, naps just happen and the show goes on. Your recommendations are always welcome and appreciated.
“Naps just happen.” We should have a sign near our TV with that on it! Thanks, Terry.
Sounds like an interesting bit of participatory theatre!
It was certainly unusual!