It may be blasphemous to say it but I have never seen the 1957 film Twelve Angry Men.

So I am unable to compare Tom Conti's gripping performance a juror number eight with the much-praised showing from Henry Fonda.

But as far as this stage production is concerned, gripping is the word. Compelling, even. One might even say it was captivating.

Conti is amusing yet measured in his laborious attempts to engage his fellow jurors, to the point of being something of a maverick.

Some of his character's endeavours would result in it being him stood in the dock but that is all part of his charm.

I found myself drawing parallels with my own experience on a jury at Kingston Crown Court last year.

It was déjà vu as Conti berated a fellow juror who was happy to convert to his way of thinking simply because it was easier.

Think for yourself, Conti told him, just as I told one of my fellow jurors.

It is a masterful play, even down to the hidden details such as the table moving like a clock throughout.

I am only unsure if, in reality, Conti's character would convert so many naysayers with relative ease.

But I am told this play sticks almost entirely rigidly to the film so perhaps that is nitpicking on my part.

A special mention should also be reserved for former Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel who put in convincing showing as a hard-nosed scorned father.

My colleagues who accompanied me to see the play were equally as impressed.

George Odling says: "Tom Conti’s juror number eight, the lone dissenter in the room, is as strong and humane as Henry Fonda’s but with a wry and subtle charisma that is very much Conti’s own."

Ellie Cambridge adds: "The cast drew me in to the story immediately and although part of their discussions involved talking about the time, for me, each half flew by as I was so engrossed in what the outcome would be."

See Twelve Angry Men at Richmond Theatre before it closes on Saturday.

For more details, visit atgtickets.com/richmond.