Simon Ward reviews Julius Caesar at the Hen and Chickens Theatre

In this urgent and compelling interpretation of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Anna Blackburn has created a nerve-shredding production of great power. A well-drilled cast of four brilliantly rises to the challenge of inhabiting all the roles this play demands. At its heart, the play is centred around a handful of men, and their evolving relationships: Julius Caesar himself, played by Arnold Patrick Lumu; Brutus, played by Louis Cruzat; Cassius, played by Greta Hansen and; Mark Anthony played by Clio Carrara.

The presentation of the piece is highly stylised, with choreography embedded throughout and an insistent, percussive soundtrack. The set and costumes are reminiscent of a well-worn butcher’s apron, bloodied and torn, a useful reminder of how steeped in blood the play is. It is often thought of as primarily a political play, or a tragedy of flawed characters, as indeed it is. Blackburn ensures, however, that we recall that political differences in the Roman world were often settled at the point of a sword. The ragged costumes also suggest that the story is being told by the humblest Roman inhabitants – they have no elaborate props but can imaginatively fashion a weapon from the scrap of cloth in their hand.

Shakespeare’s language is delivered clearly, as the plot moves terrifyingly on to its inevitable end. Cruzat and Hansen are outstanding in their portrayal of Brutus and Cassius – the key plotters of Caesar’s downfall. Brutus’s naive faith that the purity of their motives will never be questioned shines through. Cassius, on the other hand, wilier and better able to anticipate problems ahead, nevertheless allows himself to be overruled, with tragic consequences. Cruzat shows us a man unwillingly drawn into a world of political intrigue for which he is distinctly unsuited. A man whose actions will ultimately bring about the very outcome he was hoping to prevent. Yet Cassius is no villain – he may be partly motivated by jealousy of Caesar’s rise but he, too, has the good of Rome at heart. He, too, is betrayed by flaws of character beyond his control.

It is one of the mysteries of great art that we can still be surprised and dismayed by events unfolding, even when we know all too well that they will. This show ratchets up the nerve-wracking tension as we witness each of the famous set-pieces – the Ides of March, the assassination, Mark Anthony’s game-changing speech. Brilliantly effective use is made of all the butcher’s rags in the mob’s crazed attack on the poet Cinna. The production grips like a white-knuckle ride, all the while tinged with the knowledge of where it will end. It is expertly edited too – running through the labyrinthine plot in a bare ninety minutes. This piece deserves to be seen by a wide audience – it is a powerful reminder of how Shakespeare’s themes still resonate today.

Julius Caesar is running at the Hen and Chickens Theatre, 109 St Paul’s Road, London N1 2NA until Saturday 7th June