11:35AM, Fri Jul 20, 2012

Video Review: RSC Julius Caesar At The Theatre Royal

By Philippa Goymer Location:

As part of the World Shakespeare Festival, the great political thriller ‘Julius Caesar’ has been re-staged in modern Africa.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Artistic Director, Gregory Doran, was inspired to re-stage the production in Africa after learning of Robben Island prisoners reading and signing passages from the ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare’.

When Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island he read, what became known as the 'Robben Island Bible' and he signed and dated the below extract from 'Julius Caesar'.

Robben Island was, between the 17th and 20th centuries, a prison in South Africa where Nelson Mandela and thousands other political prisoners were sent for opposing apartheid and various other crimes.

The RSC’s new production features a notable cast including Ray Fearon as Mark Antony; Paterson Joseph as Brutus, both of whom you may recognise from 'Harry Potter' and 'The Beach', respectively.

Jeffery Kissoon plays Caesar and Cyril Nri as Cassius.

The re-locating of the classic production has relevant political echoes in the Arab Spring, and on-going uprisings, allowing any messages to resonate more deeply.

'Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come.'

The passage Nelson Mandela signed in the 'Complete Works of William Shakespeare'.

The production is lively and unique and as well as this, it is unusual in its delivery, keeping tight-a-hold of your attention throughout.

Kissoon and Fearon portray Caesar and Mark Antony's tense and affectionate relationship perfectly.

It is punctuated with vibrant performances from a stellar female cast; Adjoa Andoh as Portia and Samantha Lawson stepping in in place of Ann Ogbomo as Calpurnia.

Powerful performances made way for an emotional carving of various relationships, inparticular Brutus and Cassius and again, Brutus and Portia.

A vibrant, raw and refreshing production of one of the greatest of all Shakespeare's works, that makes you forget the original was ever set in Rome.

The production runs until Saturday 28 July. Click here for tickets.