Julius Caesar

October 2017 

Julius Caesar by the Shakespeare Company in Calgary

Julius Caesar. By William Shakespeare. The Shakespeare Company, 16 Oct. 2017, Vertigo Studio Theatre, Calgary.

A dynamic and suspenseful presentation of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, I found this performance both interesting for it’s acting and it’s choices in storytelling. Julius Caesar is a play about betrayal, power and the delicate balance that we all must strike between what is right for the whole, and what is right for ourselves. It begins with Caesar returning to Rome triumphant after a military victory that expands his empire. Brutus and other members of the senate see his expanding influence as a threat to the current government and decide that Caesar must be stopped before he crowns himself emperor. This assassination happens early in the play, and Brutus is left to deal with the aftermath of his decisions. 

I found this production gripping from beginning to end. It was compelling in so many ways that challenged my understanding of how Shakespeare should be presented. The actors did not just speak the lines, but were excellent at expressing the meanings behind them. It felt to me like a very present performance, and very true, which I can imagine is difficult when dealing with such well known, yet little understood text such as Shakespeare. 

The choreography, lighting and sound design complemented the acting and further clarified the excellent storytelling.  There were many times in this production that the design elements were intentionally created to grip the audience and build suspense, which we done excellently. Great acting and great stagecraft worked together in this production to create an excellent work of art.