Tell us a bit about your production of Julius Caesar.
Our production of Julius Caesar is performed by 6 women in a taut one act of 70 minutes. The language is modern and urgent and the result is a faced paced, gritty and surprising theatrical experience.
It's been an absolute joy to deconstruct and play with this masterpiece of William Shakespeare's. We have been blown away by the relevance of this story 400 years on, and how brilliantly Shakespeare captures the inner turmoil of the human condition.
What does the play gain from having an all female cast?
Well, as female producers and artists we constantly face the gender gap - the fact that on average there is only one female role to every four male roles in the canon of Shakespeare's works. So we thought - let's flip it around. What would happen if Julius Caesar was a female senator in a matriarchal society?? ...thus the conversations began.
Shakespeare is tantilising to actor and audience alike. His plays are filled with wonderful words to say and dramatic situations to witness, it is just a pity that he gives women less of a voice and consequence within his plays. We have chosen Julius Caesar, a play not deeply imbedded with gender issues and romantic storylines, as the perfect vehicle to see the women take centre stage, speaking mighty verses about freedom, leadership and destiny.
And the response has been wonderful - many audience members have applauded the gender swap and been inspired by strong female characters. Others have commented that the breakdown of relationships and friendships was even more pertinent when shared by females, whilst others have remarked that when watching the production they completely forgot that it was meant to men up there! That it felt "right" and "very normal" to have these women saying these words and fighting their causes.
How has audience response been so far?
We have had sell out seasons and a wonderful response to the production so far.
Why bring it to Edinburgh?
Why not?!
I visited the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2001 as a keen spectator. I was blown away by the Festival. The energy and diversity is like nothing I have ever experienced before. I made a pact that one day I would bring a show back to Edinburgh. 17 years on and Julius Caesar is the one. It's short and sharp. It packs a direct punch and it's a small cast of 6. We begun in Melbourne at the Fringe Festival, and the show exceeded all of our expectations.
As we were heading to the Adelaide Fringe Festival, someone loosely commented that the next stop should be Edinburgh. The seed was planted and very quickly it has become a reality. We are really very pumped to be heading to the world's largest Fringe Festival!!!
Why does Julius Caesar feel especially relevant just now?
As current political figures are either heroes or traitors, there has never been a more apt time for Shakespeare's Julius Caesar to be played out.
Conspiracy, tests of loyalty, whispers of what is good for the country, are all common headlines in today's papers. Today our "Caesar" grows and shape-shifts with our own violence, griefs and tragedies. Julius Caesar has never been more relevant. Director Fleur Kilpatrick says "With each news bulletin this play feels newer and more connected to the world around us".
A recent production in New York has been boycotted by two major sponsors after it's Trump-like comparisons. Gregory Doran, the artistic director of the UK's Royal Shakespeare commented on this situation "Though he often set his plays in period and places that were remote from his own, by doing so he could talk freely about society." Shakespeare can often surprise modern audiences with how "relevant" he is.
Timings and ticket information for Julius Caesar are available on the edfringe website. Watch a trailer for the show below!
