Julius Caeser

24 June - 5 July 1997

Director: Eric Usher Venue: The George Hotel

'Oh Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet' The story of Julius Caesar would have been well-known to Shakespeare and, in many ways, it would have been a natural subject to appeal to him after the completion of most of his major English history plays. It has been consistently popular throughout the centuries combining, as it does, dramatic action with keen perception of character. Some have suggested that the play really ought to have been called 'The Tragedy of Marcus Brutus' and it is true that Brutus has many of the characteristics of the tragic hero. His 'nobility' is everywhere in evidence but, as John Palmer points out, he also has 'precisely the qualities which in every age have rendered the conscientious liberal ineffectual in public life'. He is a man of courage, dignity and humanity but he makes every mistake that it is possible to make. His fatal misjudgements of character are followed by errors in action and his final tragedy comprises not only the death of himself and his wife, but also the destruction of the republican principles for which he has fought. By contrast Cassius is presented as acute, intelligent and effective. A realist whose more admirable qualities are developed towards the end of the play while Antony changes from the sensual libertine to the 'shrewd contriver' and unscrupulous opportunist. Throughout all the action the presence or spirit of Caesar makes itself felt. It is this very spirit that the conspirators hope to destroy but, in fact, it is stronger after the murder than before it. Shakespeare's audience would have been fully aware of the legendary greatness of Caesar. They would also have been keenly alive to the potential horrors of a disorganised change of power, as the ageing Queen Elizabeth was already nearing death without having established any heir to succeed her to the throne. In many ways Caesar is portrayed as a political idea rather than a man. The assassination, which attempts to destroy his spirit in fact elevates it and makes it much more powerful. Caesar, therefore, becomes the greatest force in the play which quite rightly bears his name.  

Cast

JULIUS CAESAR

Hugh Prior

CALPURNIA, HIS WIFE

Shannon Milsom

MARCUS BRUTUS

Michael Williamson

PORTIA, HIS WIFE

Maggie Redgrave

The ruling Triumvirate after Caesar's death

MARK ANTONY

Andrew Kendon

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

Mike Thackray

LEPIDUS

Jack Hyde

The conspirators against Caesar

CAIUS CASSIUS

Daniel Tarrant

CASCA

Michael Storey

CINNA

Graham Linay

DECIUS BRUTUS

Brian Williams

TREBONIUS

Graeme Hammond

METELLUS CIMBER

Peter Barton

CAIUS LIGARIUS

Phil Cox

Tribunes of the people

FLAVIUS

Mike Thackray

MURELLUS

Nick Thompson

Senators

CICERO

Gerald McCunn

POPILLIUS LENA

Aidan Hervey

THE SOOTHSAYER

Jack Hyde

THE COBBLER

Phil Cox

THE CARPENTER

Gary Mackay

LUCIUS, SERVANT TO BRUTUS

Tom Reynolds

PINDARUS, BONDMAN TO CASSIUS

Peter Barton

SERVANT TO CAESER

Mark Usher

SERVANT TO ANTONY

Gary Mackay

SERVANT TO OCTAVIUS

Nick Thompson

Officers and Soldiers in the armies of Brutus and Cassius

TITINIUS

Graeme Hammond

MESSALA

Graham Linay

LUCILIUS

Brian Williams

VOLUMNIUS

Aidan Hervey

STRATO

Gary Mackay

Plebeians, Officers, Soldiers, Attendants

James BrinkleyLyn MartinGerald McCunnHugh O'KaneMark UsherLucy VineKatherine Williams and members of the company

Crew

Director

Eric Usher

Stage Manager

Bob Pugh

Stage Construction

Kirton Construction

Set Design

Bob PughMaureen YuleJennie LewisJohn Morgan

Poster Design

Roger MouldBob Pugh

Costumes

Wendy UsherTerry Dick and team

Properties

Shannon MilsomKathy Williams

Continuity

Marrianne Tomkies

Photographs

Simon Ellis ABIPP AMPA

Lighting Design

Roger Blackmore

Sound Design

Gerry Davison

Backstage and Technical Team

Karen BuckleyAdam BrightDaniel ChilcottTony ChilcottSimon CraigClaire GoovaertsNorman GriffinGraeme HammondAndy KendonJohn MorganTanzy LeeMalcolm LyonsBethan PughMel PugsleyMaggie RedgraveDerrick ScothemPeter SweeneyDominic WhiteheadAndy Wilmott

Make Up

Jan SheppeardKathy WilliamsVicki Williams

Publicity

Martine PeulevéDee Wormald

Box Office

Cheryl CookMichael Cook

Front of House & Sales

Trish James and team