Few of us ever get to serve on a jury in a high profile court case and experience the agonies and traumas of deliberating over a difficult decision.

And since the abolition of the death penalty no one in this country will ever know what it is like amid the heightened tension of a murder trial when the outcome dictates whether a defendant lives or dies.

But, thanks to a stunningly powerful and graphic example of live theatre at its compelling best, we can immerse ourselves in the emotionally-charged, claustrophobic atmosphere of a New York jury room on a stifling hot day 60 years or so ago, when a verdict has to be reached as to whether a teenager should go to the electric chair for murdering his father.

Twelve Angry Men, arguably the finest example of its genre, brings together a punchy, fast-moving script, acting of the highest quality and a remarkably realistic set and visual effects to create a quite stunning production.

Tom Conti brings with him to the Theatre Royal, Windsor, many of the cast and crew from the record-breaking production of the play which won so many plaudits during its West End run. He is becoming a familiar face at the venue, returning to Windsor for the third time in little more than a year.

Twelve Angry Men, inspired by the real-life jury experiences of writer Reginald Rose in Manhattan in the early 1950s, was originally a TV play, adapted into an Oscar-nominated film starring Henry Fonda. The stage version was first seen in London in 1964.

Twelve Angry Men brings together a punchy, fast-moving script

Conti takes the role of Juror Number Eight , the part played by Fonda. To the frustration and chagrin of the other all male, all white, members of the jury, he is the only one of the 12 to decide not guilty when the vote is taken at the beginning of the action - just as well really as otherwise it would be a very short play.

The pragmatic Number Eight (none of the jurors is ever named in person) attempts to convince them to share his opinion that the goings-on in the courtroom, made worse by an inexperienced defence lawyer, have failed to properly examine several puzzling elements of the case.

His persistence in pointing out that there is 'reasonable doubt' in the evidence presented to them, is displayed in mostly calm, almost languorous, style by Conti .

Number Eight has to overcome the prejudices, resentments and naivety of the majority and, as time ticks by - with one juror even seemingly more concerned about missing a baseball game - the frustrations and emotions erupt into heated arguments and near fist fights.

The action demands split second timing by the actors to create the ever-heightening tension and in this each and every one succeeds admirably.

Denis Lill - more familiar as the pipe-smoking, kindly surgeon in TV's The Royal - is quite magnificent as the bigoted, outspoken and argumentative Juror 10, while the vastly-experienced Andrew Lancel - recently seen as evil Frank Foster in Coronation Street - is also at his spiteful, fiery best as Juror Three.

The rest of the cast give quite masterful performances to create a chilling and thought-provoking evening, which despite the subject, is also not without its moments of humour.

With Juror Eight attempting to turn the tables and save the teenage defendant from death, there is even a visual pun, with the long wooden table around which the jurors cluster, very slowly revolving as the action unfurls.

The wonderfully-crafted set and perfect period costumes make essential contributions to

the success of this riveting and atmospheric production, which is skillfully directed by Christopher Haydon.

The play sets off on a nationwide tour after its run at Windsor.

Twelve Angry Men is at The Theatre Royal, Windsor, until Saturday February 7. Contact the box office on 01753 853888 or www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk .