By VERONIQUE DUPREY
A Seat on the Aisle
I attended Agape Theater Company’s opening night of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar last Friday, presented at the Indy Fringe Theater in downtown Indianapolis. I am glad I did.
Originally a youth theater company, Agape mixes youth and adult performers in this production and offers a faithful, black-box rendering of Roman intrigue replete with ideas of honor, democracy, and patriotism.
Brutus (foreground) is played by Christopher O’Hara and Cassius is played by Jake Hobbs. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
The Bard’s history plays are not the easiest for the average theatergoer, and most companies trim them down to make them more accessible. Agape has chosen to keep Julius Caesar almost intact, as far as I could tell, giving each actor a chance to shine; this does translate into an almost three-hour run time (with intermission), and pacing could have been improved in a few scenes. Nonetheless, Darby Kear led his cast well overall in his directorial debut, and made good choices as far as staging, costumes, and scenic elements.
The most pleasant surprise was an actor who looks to be in his twenties (Christopher O’Hara, a newcomer to the area), with the rich baritone voice of a classical actor at least twice that age, who gave us a Brutus full of gravitas. I am very much looking forward to seeing and hearing O’Hara in other settings, to see how he adapts his voice and character to more modern or comedic styles.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Alec Cole’s offerings as both Casca and Messala, making the most of this doubling by personifying two very distinct characterizations. Jake Hobbs fully committed to an intense Cassius, both in rage and sadness. And of special note, the entire cast is to be commended for the clarity of their enunciation and their projection skills, as well as their commitment to always reacting appropriately and staying in the moment.
If you are not familiar with the play or Roman history, plan to read the very educational playbill, and be aware that murder and suicide are depicted. Also be prepared for brisk temperature in the building.
Bottom line: a quality offering of classical Shakespeare, without fancy gimmicks or modernization. I recommend you take this opportunity to hear many famous lines (Et tu, Brute?) and be engulfed in the betrayal and revenge! Julius Caesar runs this weekend and next at the Indy Fringe building. Tickets information is available at agapetheatercompany.com/julius-caesar-2.
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