JULIUS CAESAR
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Rob Pensalfini
Politics is sport. Sport is politics. And the fight for power is a high-stakes game.
When Caesar returns to Rome, riding high on a wave of victories and adoring fans, many in his inner circle begin to fear that his growing popularity and tyrannical tendencies threaten their way of life and democracy. With time running out, they band together and make a game plan to end his reign—permanently.
But with Caesar gone, senators, soldiers, and civilians search for new leaders to follow. Once they pick a side, will they defend it beyond reason, with winning as their only goal?
Allies attack one another, friendships falter, a great Republic implodes, and the door to tyranny opens once more. This is Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in 2024.
From the Director:
The fall of a tyrant leaves a vacuum. When a tyrant falls, it is possible to restore rule by values. But whose values? Brutus tells us that duty and honour are the highest values, while Cassius says it is friendship and love. Brutus weaponizes honour. Cassius weaponizes love. Antony, the next generation’s strong-man, harnesses populist passion.
“Politics is the entertainment division of the military-industrial complex” Frank Zappa
Season Dates:
Week 1 Nov 7 – 10
Week 2 Nov 14 – 17
Week 3 Nov 21 – 24
Times:
Evenings – Thurs 6:30pm,
Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sun 6pm
Matinees – Thurs 11am (wk 3 only), Sat 2pm (wk 2 & 3 only)
Special Events:
Thurs Nov 7th – Preview (all tickets $29)
Fri Nov 8th – Gala Night (ticket includes drinks and canapes after the show)
Thurs Nov 14th – Post show Q & A
Sat Nov 16th – Relaxed Performance (2pm show)
Pricing:
Full: $40
Concession: $29
Groups (8+): $29
School Groups: $25 per student (1 free teacher ticket per 10 students)
QSE is an affiliate of the Queensland Government’s Companion Card program. Companion Cardholders are eligible for a single complimentary ticket for their chosen show. Please contact bookings@qldshakespeare.org for more info.
Venue – The Avalon Theatre
172 Sir Fred Schonell Dr, St Lucia QLD 4067
Accessibility
The Avalon theatre has a small carpark, entry via Macquarie Street, with several PWD parking spaces. The building is fully accessible, with automated sliding doors at the main entrance, and ambulatory all gender toilets. The main theatre has a dedicated seating area for wheelchair users, and there is an accessibility ramp that leads to the chill out zone.
Team
Director/Sound Design: Rob Pensalfini
Assistant Director: Liliana Macarone, Rebecca Murphy, Angus Thorburn
Production Manager: Kylii Davies
Stage Manager: Cameron Grimmett
Assistant Stage Manager: Paris Lindner
Set and Prop Design & Construction: Brigitte Bennet
Costume Design & Construction: Harmony Barath
Lighting Design & Operation: B’Elanna Hill
Multimedia Designer: Brooklyn Pace
CAST
Angus Thorburn – Casca, Messala
Dom Tennison – Soothsayer, Publius, Pindarus, Strato, Citizen, Soldier
Frances Marrington – Mark Antony
Leah Mustard – Portia, Popilius, Clito, Citizen, Soldier
Liliana Macarone – Marcus Brutus
Lillian Duggan – Julius Caesar, Octavius Caesar
Meg Bennett – Decius Brutus, Titinius, Dardanius, Citizen, Soldier
Mikala Crawley – Calpurnia, Trebonius, Lucilius, Citizen, Soldier
Rebecca Murphy – Caius Cassius
Riley Anderson – Lucius, Cinna, Volumnius, Citizen, Soldier
Scott Mair – Cicero, Metellus Cimber, Lepidus, Servant, Messenger, Citizen, Soldier
Schools & Education
Click here for more info or contact education@qldshakespeare.org
Content Notes
This production includes projected images, occasional loud noises, and simulated violence including swordfights, murder, and suicide. All moments of threat and violence have been choreographed as part of a rigorous and respectful rehearsal process.
Should you have any questions about the production’s content, please contact bookings@qldshakespeare.org
Running Times
Act 1 – 1 hr 25 mins
Interval
Act 2 – 50 mins