A PLAY with an unusual twist invites the audience to make its own mind up at Hertford s Castle Hall this month – with the ending left for the audience to decide. The Accused by Jeffrey Archer is a tense courtroom drama in which the audience is also the ju

A PLAY with an unusual twist invites the audience to make its own mind up at Hertford's Castle Hall this month - with the ending left for the audience to decide.

The Accused by Jeffrey Archer is a tense courtroom drama in which the audience is also the jury.

At the end of Act 3 those watching are asked to deliver their verdict of guilty or not guilty in the case of the Crown versus Dr Patrick Sherwood, who stands accused of poisoning his wife.

Depending on which verdict is handed down by that night's audience, the play will then continue to one of two entirely different endings, each of which has a twist in the tail.

Director Cheryl Nicholson said: "Having to be ready for either ending adds excitement for the cast, and we are all intrigued to see how many of our audiences will find the accused guilty and how many not guilty across the four performances."

Voting will be via a show of white or black cards given to the audience at the end of the interval.

Novel staging and use of large closed circuit TV screens is also designed to enhance the courtroom experience for the audience by giving everyone the chance to be a juror for the evening.

The Accused will be performed at Castle Hall at 7.30pm from Wednesday, March 18 to Saturday, March 21.

Tickets cost �9.50, concessions �7.50 and the box office number is 01992 531500.