The Julius Caesar review of the Royal Shakespeare Company's all-female revival reveals a production so thrilling it kept a hall full of teenagers in pin-drop silence. This touring show, originally at the Donmar Warehouse in 2012, brings Shakespeare's timeless themes to secondary schools with raw power and relevance.
A Prison Setting for Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
The auditorium is stripped bare – a repurposed hall with ascending seating that resembles an amphitheatre but with plastic chairs. This show could pass for a school production in appearance, if you didn't know better. The RSC's revival of Phyllida Lloyd's all-female Julius Caesar is now touring secondary schools, and we are in Peterborough, but also in Rome and in a women's prison. Shakespeare is framed within an incarceration story, which occasionally impinges on it with interruptions from guards and prison protocols.
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Cast and Characters in the All-Female Julius Caesar
Harriet Walter reprises her role as Brutus, delivering a performance of nuanced intensity. Jackie Clune returns as Julius Caesar, embodying the arrogance and vulnerability of the doomed leader. Leah Harvey, who played the soothsayer in the 2016 revival, now owns the role of an earnest yet calculatingly vengeful Mark Anthony. The institutional minimalism of Bunny Christie's set design is in keeping with Lloyd's setup of a drama society in a prison putting on the play before us, the actors dressed in similar grey, state-issue outfits.
Themes and Relevance of Julius Caesar Today
Small TV screens variously flash CCTV surveillance footage from the prison and summaries of forthcoming scenes from the play in blaring letters. The history play's themes of justice, power, populism, and violence begetting violence have plenty of resonance today. Still, it is a tall order to hold the attentions of a hall full of school pupils with Shakespearean verse and ther... [truncated]
Key Takeaways from the Julius Caesar Review
- The all-female cast brings a fresh, powerful dynamic to Shakespeare's classic.
- The prison framing device adds layers of meaning and immediacy.
- The production successfully engages young audiences with its raw energy.
- Harriet Walter and Leah Harvey deliver standout performances.
- The minimalist set design enhances the focus on the text and performances.
Comparison with Other Shakespeare Revivals
| Aspect | This Production | Traditional Revivals |
|---|---|---|
| Cast | All-female | Mixed or all-male |
| Setting | Women's prison | Ancient Rome |
| Audience | Secondary school pupils | General theatregoers |
| Design | Minimalist, institutional | Elaborate, historical |
FAQ
What is the concept of this Julius Caesar production?
The production is framed as a play within a play, performed by inmates in a women's prison. This concept adds layers of meaning to Shakespeare's text, highlighting themes of power, incarceration, and resistance.
Who are the standout performers in the cast?
Harriet Walter as Brutus and Leah Harvey as Mark Anthony deliver particularly powerful performances, capturing the complexity of their characters with depth and intensity.
Why is this production touring schools?
The tour aims to bring Shakespeare to young audiences in an accessible and engaging way, using the prison framing to connect with contemporary issues and spark discussion among students.
In conclusion, this Julius Caesar review highlights a production that is both innovative and deeply resonant. The all-female cast and prison setting breathe new life into Shakespeare's classic, making it a must-see for audiences of all ages.
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