Monday 16 August 2010

STAGE: JULIUS CAESAR, ROYAL COURT - 1964



Lindsay Anderson's 1964 Royal Court production of Julius Caesar marked a return to the Shakespeare canon for when he was cast as Cassius, originally to Nicol Williamson's Brutus, but later to Ian Bannen.

With a strong director, a strong cast and one of the Bard's classics it had been a keenly anticipated production, however the critical reception was not good. Nonetheless, it was an excellent opportunity for TP introducing him to an established company with an emphasis on director led productions and ensemble playing. That ensemble including a catch of rising stars such as Ian Bannen, Daniel Massey, Graham Crowden, Ronald Pickup and, making his debut in a support role, a young Anthony Hopkins.

TP would return to the Royal Court in 1970 for another Lindsaay Anderson production, The Contractor (David Storey), and again in 1980 for The Seagull (Chekov trans. Thomas Kilroy).



TP as Cassius & Ian Bannen as Brutus

TP with director Lindsay Anderson

Cast List

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