UK Theatre Network

Julius Ceasar

The Royal Shakespeare Company at Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

Corruption, political intrigue, conspiracy, treachery and murder – Julius Ceasar has it all in this classy production from the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Rome, 44BC: As Ceasar’s strength and popularity look set to propel him to the imperial throne, those closest to him act to prevent what they fear will become a dictatorship.

The conspirators, led by Caius Cassius (John MacKay), convince the well-respected Marcus Brutus (Sam Troughton) to join them in their ‘enterprise’ for the greater good of the republic, and the assassination date is set for the Ides of March.

Both Troughton and MacKay are on top form and their masterful performances easily outshine Greg Hicks’s slightly puny Ceasar and Darrell D’Silva’s Oliver Reed-esque portrayal of Mark Antony.

The arrogant Caesar disregards the prophetic dream of his wife, Calphurnia (Noma Dumezweni) and goes to the Capitol on the Ides of March, as planned, where he is stabbed to death. Talk about a man never listening to the wisdom of his wife?

However, the assassination of Ceasar unleashes a tide of violence that will drag thousands into a bloody civil war.

Clever special effects are employed to recreate the scale of Ancient Rome and its population, and Lucy Bailey’s direction keeps the story going at a pace that makes the three hours pass a lot quicker than they might have done in less capable hands.

Steve Burbridge.

‘Julius Ceasar’ runs until Saturday 7 November 2009.

The Winter’s Tale

The Royal Shakespeare Company at Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

Shakespeare’s play of love, paranoia, betrayal and reconciliation – The Winter’s Tale – is brought vividly and stunningly to life by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal.

King Leontes of Sicilia (Greg Hicks) is the man with the perfect life. Powerful, wealthy and surrounded by a loving family he should be content, but instead he is ill at ease with the world around him. Isolated by a destructive jealousy, he lashes out at those closest to him.

After accusing his heavily pregnant wife, Hermione (Kelly Hunter), of infidelity with his best friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia (Darrel D’Silva), he imprisons her and arranges to have Polixenes poisoned. When Hermione gives birth to a daughter in prison, believing it to be illegitimate, he orders the child should be abandoned in the wilderness.

The Oracle of Apollo declares that Hermione is innocent of being unfaithful and brands Leontes a tyrant. His punishment is to die without an heir - unless the lost child is found. Shortly afterwards, the news arrives that their first-born son, Mamillius, has suddenly died, which causes Hermione to collapse. She, too, is later reported to have died.

Leontes is overcome with grief and remorse and vows to spend the rest of his life in atonement.

Sixteen years later his abandoned daughter, Perdita (Samantha Young), is alive and well, having been found as an infant by a kindly, eccentric shepherd. Unaware of her background, she is in love with Florizel (Tunji Kasim), son of Polixenes. When he discovers that his son plans to marry a common shepherd’s daughter, Polixenes forbids it. The young lovers elope to Sicilia, pursued by Polixenes.

Back at the court of Leontes, Perdita’s true identity is discovered and the unveiling of a commemorative statue of Hermione sets a chain of events in motion that could eventually reunite the scattered family.

The Winter’s Tale explores the human psyche when corrupted by jealousy and paranoia, whilst also examining its staggering ability to forgive even the most devastating betrayals and cruelties inflicted upon it, thus revealing the true meaning of love.

This production deserves all the acclaim that will, undoubtedly, be bestowed upon it. Consummate performances from the cast are technically backed up with an impressive set designed by Jon Bausor, atmospheric lighting and sound by Jon Clark and Martin Slavin, respectively and dynamic direction from David Farr. The result is a terrific piece of theatre that is as profound and poignant as it is funny and frivolous.

Steve Burbridge.

‘The Winter’s Tale’ runs until Saturday 31 October 2009.