Julius Caesar. Bell Shakespeare.

Julius Caesar. Bell Shakespeare.

To see the future one must only look to the past. Bell Shakespeare’s new production of Julius Caesar goes behind the scenes as yet another leader is forced from office.

Peter Evans, Bell Shakespeare’s new Associate Artistic Director, takes this momentous piece of Roman history and transports it to the corridors of backroom politics.

Like many before him and after him, Julius Caesar (Alex Menglet) had the support of the people but the loathing of the players. While the ruler goes in search of ways to further expand his power, the conniving Cassius (Kate Mulvany) persuades poor patriotic Brutus to join a conspiracy bent on bringing the leader down.

But not even a front-man of Brutus’ unimpeachable integrity could avert the total and utter disaster their daggers set in motion.

And after all the back-stabbing and power-grabbing, with the politicians claiming that their actions are ‘for the good of the country’, what we learn in the end is that violence will only beget violence.

Director, Peter Evans says:

“I find this story constantly relevant.

“We witness the original pre-emptive strike and the irony of the ‘honourable assassination’ with all the carnage that a power vacuum creates.

“Julius Caesar is a play that is never out of date, in fact feels today relentlessly modern.”

Melbourne Season - September 6 – 17 - Fairfax Studio, the Arts Centre, Melbourne. 1300 723 038

Further Tour Dates

Alice Springs NT (Sep 20), Darwin NT Sep 22 & 23), Cairns (Sep 27 & 28), Mackay Qld (Oct 1), Rockhampton Qld (Oct 4), Gladstone Qld (Oct 6), Caloundra Qld (Oct 8), Gold Coast Qld (Oct 11 & 12), Lismore NSW (Oct 13 & 14) and Bathrst NSW (Oct 18).

October 25 – November 26 – Playhouse, Sydney Opera House. (02) 9250 7777

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Win Melbourne Tickets - Competition Closed - We Have Our Five Winners.

Our lucky winners - JC La Fontaine, Melanie Brinsmead, Alice Dawes, Jarrod Factor and Coral Drouyn.

Win two tickets to the performance of Julius Caesar on Tuesday September 6 at 7.30pm at The Fairfax Studio, the Arts Centre, Melbourne (5 double passes available).

Was our challenge (below) a big ask? We've past closing time for the competition, so now all you ned to do is visit the contact form and as per instructions below and type in the name of one of the conspirators against Caesar as a message.

The Challenge: Julius Caesar resembles leadership coups (bloodless) closer to home, though they tend to happen behind party room doors. Take some dramatic license. What coup, real or imaginary, would you dramatise, and where would you stage it for maximum theatrical effect (iconic location, public event, TV show, etc.)?

To enter, visit our contact form http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/contact and type Julius Caesar in the subject field. Then type your answer as a message.

We will publish the winning entries here.

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