Teacher/Director
(Sequence Eleven)

Julius Caesar

In this brief sequence we see the killing of Caesar. The teacher/director creates an interesting set of parallels with the previous scene we have witnessed in rehearsal – the music, the crowd, the same proud progress of the actor playing Caesar – all of which become ironic at this bloody moment.

The teacher's enthusiastic involvement in the scene is also to fore. His provision of a template against which their performances may be modelled is effective with this group.

The scene focuses on a key moment of touch, when the conspirators dare to grasp Caesar's clothing. The teacher correctly emphasises the transgressive nature of these touches and works on Caesar's appalled reactions.

The ritualistic nature of the killing is emphasised in this production by the exchange of the blade among the conspirators, so that all use the same weapon to stab Caesar.