Julius Caesar at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The amphitheatre-style arena with a huge statue of Caesar which is later toppled by the angry mob sets the scene perfectly for Shakespeare's political thriller about the assassination of Julius Caesar and the end of the Roman Republic.
And the fact that Gregory Doran's RSC production with an all-black cast of British actors, is set in Africa where despots and tribalism are part of modern day life gives the play a sense of gritty realism.
Noble Brutus (Paterson Joseph) is mesmerising as a deluded defender of Rome who thinks their names will live on as saviours who purged the Republic of an evil force. More grounded in reality is Cyril Nri's well-played Caius Cassius. He and the other conspirators are shocked when Brutus insists Caesar's ally Mark Anthony is allowed to live. It proves to be a fatal decision.
Ray Fearon's powerful Mark Antony sways the masses with a marvellous funeral speech and a brave Caesar (Jeffery Kissoon) "The valiant never taste of death but once" reminds us that for Shakespeare, who relished history's contradictions, Caesar was neither hero nor villain.
The two hour and 15 minutes play runs straight through without an interval.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until 7 July. Box office: 0844 800 1110. Then in London, and on a UK tour. The play will be broadcast on BBC Four in June as part of the 'Shakespeare Unlocked' season.
By Karen Knowles
