Julius Caesar

Shakespeare’s plays can be produced in many different settings, often far from their traditional productions. This Atherton Performing Arts Junior Theatre version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is no exception.

Atherton’s Julius Caesar is performed on a well-designed, dystopian set by the actors in futuristic costumes carrying guns of various descriptions. The play is accompanied by jangling music and, surprisingly, an old Doris Day song.

The acting by the tight-knit cast is excellent as the play rapidly unfolds towards the assassination of Caesar and the bloody retribution that follows.

Commanding the stage is Emmy Riber as the scheming Brutus, determined to put an end to Caesar’s rule despite stating her love for him. Also involved in the plotting is Kye Ghelfi as Cassius. Both Riber and Ghelfi give strong performances as they agonise over what to do with Caesar.

The unfortunate Caesar is played by Nakita Growden in a charismatic performance as she projects power while dominating the stage in every scene.  

The build-up to the bloody assassination is very dramatic as Brutus and Cassius enlist others into the plot. With Caesar dead, it falls to Mark Anthony and Octavius to avenge Caesar’s death, which they do at Philippi.

Chelsea Webb gives a strong-voiced performance as Mark Anthony, while Kai Mackin’s sinister portrayal of Octavius is brilliant.

The supporting cast of Ria Gupta as Calpurnia, Laverda Charlton as Trebonius, Clover Charlton as Lucius, Miranda Hardy as Decius Brutus, Meenakshi Riber as Casca, Clementine Barker as Flavius and Ella Christie, Tahli Mays and Eva Rattray as citizens of Rome, all helped to make this a highly entertaining, well-directed production.

Ken Cotterill