Julius Caesar
Dictators Directing (and Other Nuggets)
September/14/2018 10:54
There are many "little known fact" lists about Shakespeare on the web, but this one had some delightful (and awful) revelations, including the fact that one of the 20th Century's most notorious dictators and mass murderers wanted to put on a Shakespeare production. Can you guess the dictator, and his chosen play? Read on!
The Film of The Play
March/23/2018 12:03
Well-reviewed in London, we were able to at last see the National Theatre's Julius Caesar performance beamed from London to a movie theater in Manhattan. As a quick comment on the experience — and not to offend ardent theatergoers — a friend of the blog commented that the advantage of watching a "live" play on a screen in a movie theater seems similar to the advantage of seeing a sports game on TV - multiple camera angles, perfect sound, and a greater sense that one is seeing absolutely everything to advantage. The long and the short of it is that watching Julius Caesar via The National Theatre Live program provided an excellent experience, and we recommend it to anyone who might be curious.
All Those in Favor, Say "Ides"
March/16/2018 13:59
It's that day of the year again, the dreaded (for Roman dictators at least) Ides of March. Professor James Shapiro of Columbia University takes the opportunity to discuss Shakespeare's importance not just to America, but to New York City itself. And there are some great little stories in there.
Hail Caesar! (Part II)
February/06/2018 15:16
Another very favorable review by Rebecca Mead at The New Yorker of Nicholas Hytner's production in London of Julius Caesar, and an interesting discussion about staging — in particular the use of audience members as part of the crowd
Hail Caesar!
February/04/2018 19:31
Another production of Julius Caesar, reflecting our growing preoccupation with demagoguery and the virtues and perils of republics and democracies gone awry. Ben Whishaw, Michelle Fairley, David Calder, and David Morrisey all put in excellent performances, according to Guardian critic Michael Billington. The play is at the Bridge Theatre, an the set design has audience members be part of the mob.
William Shakespeare as Quentin Tarantino...
January/12/2018 13:05
Three reviews of the RSC's current season at the Barbican Theater — Titus Andronicus, Antony and Cleopatra, and Julius Caesar. Of the three, Titus comes off best, with some interesting analysis by reviewer Matt Wolf, in particular the idea that Titus Andronicus in some ways was Shakespeare's preparation for King Lear — particularly in terms of the channeling of extreme violence and the resulting pathos. An interesting take.
