A&E: Rome Shakespeare Festival is bringing ‘Julius Caesar’ to Town Green on June 7-11
The tragedy “Julius Caesar” with its plots, intrigue and even a battle plays out on the Town Green June 7-11 when Rome Shakespeare brings Shakespeare on the Green back to downtown Rome.
Rome residents literally be in the middle of all the drama and the action as four stages surround the Town Green, with audience members surrounded by all the activity.
The free event will run each evening June 7-11 on the Town Green. Guests can bring picnic blankets, but there are also tables that can be purchased.
“The is our 8th annual Rome Shakespeare Festival,” said RSF Executive Director Julie Mccluskey. “’Julius Caesar’ is one of the shorter tragedies and for the first time in history of RSF will be doing it in as traditional of the time period — Roman Times — as possible. We’ve to togas, fight scenes with shields and weapons. And there’s a bit of a twist to it as well.”
In the tragedy, jealous conspirators convince Caesar’s friend Brutus to join their plot to assassinate Caesar. One the Ides of March, the men kill Caesar to stop him from gaining too much power. Mark Antony drives the conspirators out of Rome and fights them in a battle.
“We’re excited because usually we just set up the stage above the fountain,” Mccluskey said. “But this year there will be four different playing stages. And because we couldn’t resist using The Forum, we’ll be using the balcony of The Forum. The audience will be in the middle of everything, amidst the battle scenes and the major drama.”
She said they’re trying to create a festival atmosphere which includes other entertainment as well. Each day’s show will begin with a different performance as sort of an opening act.
Mccluskey said one she’s especially excited for audiences to see is a joint performance by the Rome Youth Symphony Orchestra and beloved local due Kindred Fire on Thursday, June 8.
The preshow entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
The performances promise the same attention to detail RSF audiences have come to expect. This year’s costumes and makeup design is by Rachel Roan while Jeddie Bristow is the show’s dramaturg, a consultant who will make sure the various aspects of the performances are as historically accurate as possible.
The show is directed by RSF artistic director Drew Davidson.
Tables are on sale at the RSF website, romesymphony.org, and are available to seat two, four or eight people. There will also be food vendors at the Town Green each night including Mahli’s Gourmet Popcorn, El Arco food truck and the Speak-cheesy food truck. Guests can also bring their own food and make a picnic.