The Redgraves take a stab at `Julius Caesar'
The Alley's current collaboration with Moving Theatre, Julius Caesar , is a mixed bag. It had the potential to be an incredible show and contains many fantastic elements, but it fails to deliver to its potential. Julius Caesar has a cast of fine actors, and a famous script, but the production never fully comes together as a cohesive unit.
The detail that not only detracted from this production but actually got on my nerves was the fact that, for a play about war and death, there seemed to be very little, if any, fight choreography and training.
Although a fight coach is listed, most of the moments in the play that involved knives or fists were at the best awkward. There was one particular moment when Antony moves to hit one of his men, and the completely missed swing and obvious slap in the hand for sound were actually quite funny. I heard people laughing.
It would also seem that a scene as important to this play as the death of the title character would be handled better. All the knives that sought the heart of Julius Caesar were clumsily handled, and this detracted from the power of the scene.
Central to this production is Corin Redgrave, who both directed and played Julius Caesar. American audiences perhaps know him best as Andie MacDowell's husband in Four Weddings and a Funeral . He is also known as the brother to Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave. As Julius Caesar, he deftly portrays the compassion and ambition that were to be the downfall of the Roman leader. Redgrave is a better actor than director. The production as a whole was disjointed and did not live up to its potential.
Most distracting of all was the format in which it was performed, with a two-hour first act and 45- minute second act. It was obvious that the entire audience was shifting uncomfortably in their seats by two-thirds of the way to intermission.
Corin's sister Vanessa was one of the delights of this show. In a role that was much too short for my tastes, she plays Portia, the wife of Brutus. Her stage presence is so wonderful, and the moments between her and John Feltch as Brutus were by far my favorites in the show. She is truly an actress whose presence on stage garners the title "consumate professional."
As her husband Brutus, John Feltch was the other true delight of this show. He has always been one of my favorites in the Alley company, and this role is nearly perfect for him. Brutus is a very complex character, being the only one among the conspirators who is motivated to kill Caesar out of love, not hate.
Also worthy of praise was Howard Saddler as Caius Cassius. The levels of energy he has on stage can only be described as nuclear.
Of special note are the talents of Bettye Fitzpatrick, Shelley Williams and Monica Koskey. Corin Redgrave cast this show without regard for sex or race. So these three women played soldiers, senators and conspirators. The power behind their interpretations was wonderful.
The Alley company has again proven that they are a regional company to be reckoned with, and the British Moving Theatre brought out the best in them.
As a large-cast historical tragedy, it would be easy to brush aside the vast number of characters in this drama. But each actor made his presence known and every character was fleshed out strongly. It is unfortunate that the production did not gel together. By no means should you avoid this show; the acting alone makes it entertaining. But it is not one of the best Shakespearean productions.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the January 26, 1996 issue.
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