JULIUS CAESAR

In this classic play, Brutus grapples with his own loyalties—is he devoted to Rome or to Caesar? How best to serve one’s homeland? This production works a kind of magic, lending realism to the struggles within. Ambient background noise creates three-dimensional scenes without overwhelming the actors, whose understanding of the material makes the timeless prose contemporary. The play offers a fast pace; thankfully, the performers’ phrasing and superb enunciation keep the listener close. Especially enjoyable are the moments that have transcended time to remain a part of our language and culture. For example, we are reminded that “[c]owards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.” L.B.F. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2012]