Theatre Review: Shakespeare's Julius Caesar - St Paul's Church, London ✭✭✭✭
Shakespeare’s
Julius Caesar
St
Paul’s Church – Covent Garden, London
Right
in the middle of Covent Garden is the most magnificent church, I have never
really paid much attention to it, but as of now I will look at it every time I
walk past. It is a great venue to hold a Shakespeare play and adds to the whole production. Throughout the whole of July the Iris Theatre will
be putting on the play of Julius Caesar – a historical and political blood-soaked
play portraying the weakness of men.
The
play Julius Caesar is a play of revolution and rebellion, where senators Caius
Cassius (Nick Howard-Brown) – who joins
for selfish and jealous reasons and Marcus Brutus (David Hywel Baynes) – who joins
for more of a balanced view of the political position and for his love of Rome.
Their goal is to kill Caesar (Matthew
Mellalieu) on the Ides of March (15th March). Having been
successful in their goal, they are now being hunted by the fierce Mark Anthony
and it is in battle that the majority of characters meet their untimely end.
The
Director Daniel Winder does an incredible job at making use of the space, with
a long three hours to get through the job of keeping the audience entertained
is proved a lot easier with moving around St Paul’s Church. Breaking up the
long speeches and intense dialogue makes it easier to digest, it may be a great
way for a younger audience to watch Shakespeare. There is also a great use of music, it is bringing a Shakespeare play in to
the 21st Century you have to adapt to the audience and with the use
of lighting, smoke and music this is achieved.
The
cast together work so effectively, with most of the cast playing multiple roles
you don’t find yourself confused, as all cast are incredibly impressive. David
Hywel Baynes who plays Brutus has countless opportunities to show off his
incredible acting, with long dramatic speeches he adds passion, determination
and authority all in to one impressive performance.
With
all Shakespeare plays there is a lot of death, and it just so happens in this production they are not lacking in the use of blood. As we leave the performance
St Paul’s church walls are blood stained, the casts clothing are covered in
blood. It’s also nice to see some over the top dying, a special mention to Nick
Howard-Brown who wins on this night.
As
mentioned before the play is long and as the majority is being set outside so
it is best you have a coat handy, cause as it gets past 10pm it does get quite
chilly. I hope the weather holds out for each performance; thankfully it did
for the one I watched. The night was a perfect setting for a Shakespeare play,
with strong acting and a great story (thanks Shakespeare) it was a very entertaining
evening.
Listings Information
Julius Caesar runs at St Paul's Church until Friday 26th July 2013.
Please visit www.iristheatre.com for further information and tickets.
