On the 25th Anniversary of The Shakespeare’s Globe, this strong season shows an incredible round of talent taking us through Henry VIII, Much Ado about Nothing and Julius Caesar.
Julius Caesar directed by Diane Page, highlights the passionate love between Brutus and Cassius played by Anna Crichlow and Charlotte Bate who start this journey to overthrow Caesar played by Dickon Tyrrell. Crichlow and Bate portrayed their relationship with such a vulnerability of sisterhood defeating and elevating Brutus to their true position on the pedestal. I thought Charlotte Bate playing Cassius was fantastic, the character was so entrancing with their ability to fall into Cassius’ beliefs and passions that with their inevitable end I was so moved and quite devastated by not seeing them again. Saying this, the cast was so incredibly strong as the choices felt so in-depth that didn’t just highlight the tragedy of a rebellion but had so much humour running through it that the audience felt like a crowd of protestors, with Omar Bynon being a real star for comedy running through crowds revving us up to chant against Pompeii. Quickly interrupted by Casca (Jack Myers) and Cinna (Cash Holland) whose quick wit and pace push us through the story at such a rate that every moment was unexpected and exciting.
Naturally with Shakespeare’s language being so far away from what we sound like today, I can find them fairly tedious however there was not a moment that I could shy away with every scene being rhythmically beautiful to listen to coupled with shocking fights and death scenes. I felt really connected to the history of the Globe in Caesar’s death, it being quite gruesome and bloody with the audible groans and screams from the audience- you really can’t match that to any other type of polite theatre you watch in dark, quiet theatres. The magic is in the experience of being able to comment, cheer at the winnings and cry at the loses together which the play really lends itself to with the speeches dedicated to the people and particularly in Mark Antony’s speech (Samuel Oatley) asking us if we would like to hear the will. Yes we absolutely do. It’s theatre at its most natural, most exciting and most united.
I commend the creatives always as you can see the passion through the music and dancing which always end our shows on a high, Simon Slater composes as we hear drops of sound from the back underscoring the drama of the piece and Asha Jennings-Grant as Choreographer whose movement choices were strong and defiant.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece and made me very eager to indulge myself in much more of the season. I can almost guarantee I’ll be back.
Playing until 10th September, https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/julius-caesar-2022/
Reviewer: Alice Rose
Reviewed: 12th May 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★