Friendship leads to murder when a conspiracy against a Roman general comes to fruition in Julius Caesar: a Play for Voices.
William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is reimagined as a radio play in the latest production presented by the departments of Theatre and Stagecraft & Event Technology. Julius Caesar: a Play for Voices will be streamed live via Zoom on Nov. 12 at 1pm and Nov. 13 at 7:30pm. Both performances will include a talkback with cast and crew after the show.
This modern take on the tragic murder of a Roman general by his friend Brutus reworks the classic stage production into a radio play, adapting the piece for current safety regulations and allowing the cast to remain two metres apart during the entire performance.
In this version by guest director Jane Heyman, the scenes requiring large crowds and battles have been cut leaving more room to focus on the friendships and rivalries within the play. Heyman explains how, with movement limited to the actors’ microphone stand and a stool a few feet behind each of them, the performers can focus on the language of the play, rather than where they need to stand or move around on stage.
“Without blocking to memorize, the performers have had more time to tackle Shakespeare’s text, focusing on the imagery and the language of Julius Caesar,” says Heyman. “After all, these plays were meant to be spoken. There wasn’t a big production value or elaborate costumes in Shakespeare’s time. We’re staying true to that.”
The cast and crew have had to make adjustments and show flexibility due to physical distancing requirements, however, Heyman notes that the excitement of live theatre has not be lost.
“While we may not be able to touch, we can use our voices and our imaginations to touch. The magic of theatre is in the space between us, that’s where the play exists. When the actors are really connecting, that comes alive on Zoom as well,” says Heyman.
The student cast includes Andy Nie (Burnaby), Ryan Tsang (Surrey), Mike Waddell (Port Coquitlam), Joseph Hartono (New Westminster), Jacob Tong (Burnaby), Artem Karamov (Moscow, Russia), and Eve Jackson (Coquitlam).
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to provide the most relevant and inspiring undergraduate experience in British Columbia.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca/theatre-productions
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Contact:
Maia Odegaard
Communications Coordinator
odegaardm@douglascollege.ca