Caesar

Something different, something new. The name of this play brings to mind the original by William Shakespeare but the link is rather tenuous at most. Caesar has been written by five women who demonstrate talents both in theatre and writing. Each was responsible for a scene, or act, in this relatively short play but the overall effect was one of unity. It could be said that the script covered the actors as they rehearsed scenes from the Caesar play of old to rehearsing their own lives in an equally direct manner. This was challenging for both the cast and the audience. Congratulations to the five writers for such an absorbing end product.

To bring this together in such an absorbing way for the audience, director Sanja Simić has used her cast of five well - as well as having audience participation to manage. With minimal props and set, the audience was able to concentrate on the actors who were all good in their roles, for the most part. Chenoa Deemal was outstanding both for her Shakespeare language and the debating modern actress arguing with her colleagues. Congratulations also to Billy Fogarty for the stability brought to the part. Bryan Roberts, Giema Contini and Will Carseldine completed the list of strong performers.

The structure of the writing was such that the audience members really needed to have a good understanding of the original Caesar to appreciate the modern conflict in various scenes. Still, it was enthralling in so many ways that it is both very absorbing and entertaining at the same time. Accept the challenge to see this slightly off the norm production. Well done.

William Davies

Photographer: Morgan Roberts