A political thriller that transcends time, Bell Shakespeareโs production of Julius Caesar finds itself in Canberra just weeks after the actions of our countryโs elected officials mirrored, in many ways, those of the Roman aristocracy depicted in the Bardโs tragedy.
โIn the media there were so many references to Brutus and Cassius and the conspiracy of Julius Caesar, that political wrangling is a part of human nature,โ says Canberra actress Sara Zwangobani, who plays Mark Anthony.
โIn our parliament it was bloodless โฆ but I think we can relate to that idea of conspiracy within politics, but also that people have different desires for their countries and their people.
She says, in that sense, Julius Caesar can act as a cautionary tale too.
โIt asks what it means when we try to make political stability through violence. In Canberra weโve seen governments try to achieve stability through ousting their leader, which weโve seen so many times in recent history.โ
As is so often the case with Bell Shakespeare, Zwangobani and the rest of the cast and crew have been touring the show across Australia since July, so far presenting over 40 performances in big cities and small towns right across Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
They will come to the Canberra Theatre on 12-20 October with a stripped back production Zwangobani describes as minimalistic.
โIt has to travel to 26 cities over six months, and that means you donโt have a lot of elaborate props or costumes to hide behind.
โAlso, our director James Evans has a particular love for the language of Shakespeare and wants that to be front and centre.โ
She says that aspect of the production challenges her as an actor, as it can be Greek to some.
โIt means you must have a great command of the language, and that we also have to be extremely specific to help the audience understand because itโs extremely difficult to watch and follow too.โ
Zwangobani says her role of Mark Antony provides her with plenty of challenges too.
โItโs such a great role to tackle. It has its challenges specific to the fact Iโm a woman โฆ And I think it makes it relevant because we are having discussions around gender roles in society.
โMark Antony has some awesome speeches too โฆ Trying to convince people of something through words is an incredibly human thing; I find that really wonderful and think the world of ideas is very wonderful and Shakespeare explores that space very well.โ
A Canberra local born and raised in the Belconnen area, more specifically Cook, Zwangobani works as a teacher at Calwell High when sheโs not acting.
โThatโs been amazing. My mother and brother are both teachers in the Canberra system, Mum for over 40 years and my brother for over 10,โ she says.
โItโs been wonderful to see the world of Canberra through their eyes, but Iโve also always had an admiration for the Canberra education system โฆ and I now have proof of how great it is through my experience.โ
She also says one of her favourite things about Canberra is, funnily enough, the weather.
โThe winter is the best winter anywhere; itโs beautiful and blue when itโs cold. And I canโt wait to be there in spring and show my cast mates Floriade.โ
She encourages all Canberrans to see the play.
โThe best thing about it is that itโs a stripped back production with a rawness to it, thereโs gender switches and diversity.
โItโs making a lot of people think, talk and be challenged, and for me thatโs the best thing about it.
โItโs great that this one has other challenges that reflect Australia today โฆ a lot of people are coming away with new ideas,โ she says.
Bell Shakespeareโs Julius Caesar will be performed at The Playhouse, 12-20 October; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
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