There is no historical Shakespeare more applicable right now than ‘Julius Caesar’: a drama about what to do with a dominant leader who acts like a king. And there is no better way to spend a warm June evening than sitting in a sunny Northwood Park with a glass of something fizzy and a talented cast of entertainers. It really does feel like our summer started right there!

Except – it wasn’t summer in Cowes but we were transported back to a chillier Ides of March in Rome, where scheming and treachery were the order of the day. Julius Caesar (Nick Grandvoinet resplendent in white and gold) is returning to Rome in triumph. Yet whilst Rome has been a proud republic for 450 years, there is talk that Mark Antony (Patrick Barry in various states of dress) has publicly offered Caesar a crown, resulting in growing fear and resentment amongst the many citizens of Rome.

Do not be deceived by the title. This is really a play about Brutus and Cassius, capably played by Andy Kay and Emily Scotcher who both have the power and quality to project ably across the vast expanse of the Colosseum, never mind an Island civic park. Not a single word was missed, and there were plenty of them. “This man has become a god!” exclaimed Cassius, and the first act saw Brutus torn in his dilemma between respecting Caesar as statesman or protecting the precious republic from this ‘dictator perpetuo’. 

As senators bowed to Caesar like a king it was the final straw for Brutus, Cassius and the conspirators. During the ensuing struggle, Caesar uttered the immortal line “Et tu, Brute?” – a reminder that Shakespeare’s fictionalisation of historical figures regularly overshadows historical accuracy. The use of red feathers was particularly effective in this scene, and the solemn chimes from the church of St Mary’s as the bloody body of Caesar was soberly stretchered off stage couldn’t have been better timed if they tried.

Act 2 began with much more energy with the famous funeral oration of Mark Anthony. Patrick Barry excelled at this point, all eyes compelled towards him as he uttered the famous lines “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!” The result of this speech was the shift of public opinion of Brutus and Cassius from heroes, to possible villains – a timely reminder of the consequences of putting political leaders on a pedestal that they will eventually be toppled from. Who to root for? Shakespeare left this particularly ambiguous – but you know that not everyone will make it to the final curtain intact. 

Ad Lib Theatre packed this production with splendid costumes of boots, belts and buckles – with most of the brilliant cast meeting the challenge of playing several different parts. Everything you want was there – including perfectly made Roman standards and well-choreographed Battle of Philippi sword fighting scenes. Congratulations to Si Lynch and the production team for pulling this off, and I can’t wait for a more autumnal Shakespeare production of Coriolanus in Newport Minster by candlelight in November. What a treat that is going to be!

Review by Vix Lowthian