Singapore’s annual Shakespeare in the Park event has an exciting new take on a classic favorite of the scribe’s oeuvre. The play “Julius Caesar” will be staged in modern times, with Rome representing a powerful faction of world leaders. Perhaps the most modern aspect of all of the staging will be the fact that the titular character, Julius Caesar, will be played by a female actress.
But renowned stage actress Jo Kukathas says that she doesn’t want the message the audience takes away from the performance to be that the most impactful part of the performance is seeing women in power. If that is the case, then theater groups should be doing a better job of featuring women in lead roles and usurping the traditional notion of men in power.
Instead, Kukathas hopes to inspire people through the themes that translate no matter what politicians are in power or what the current belief or power system is currently. Because the strongest part of “Julius Caesar” is the very human relationships present throughout the play. Viewers of the play can argue about whether Caesar herself is a dictator or shows signs of that kind of domination, but in the end, it’s the friendships and political relationships with other leaders that really makes things interesting.
Kukathas says that she fields a lot of questions directed around the gender of Julius Caesar and the meaning of that, but she says she’s feeling pressure for another reason. Playing the lead role in any production is stressful, and she wants to do her best while staying true to herself. She described the production as a mixture of the hit Netflix political thriller “House of Cards” and Marvel’s “Avengers” saga, meaning that the production is sure to be packed with action and drama. Anyone familiar with the Shakespeare play can attest to the fact that there are many twists and turns during the story. It will be exciting to see the variations that this particular staging will bring to the table, especially in these modern and interesting times.
Whether you’re interested in drama or music, photography or painting, art is always a wonderful way to add cultural dimension to your life. Learn more about all the different ways you can introduce more art into your daily schedule by visiting SGArtClass.com. Read different articles about unique art genres, browse deeply discounted art supplies for all your creative needs, and scroll through all the various art classes that are available for easy enrollment. Art classes are a wonderful and educational way for you to socialize with friends both old and new, and you’ll walk away from a fun session with new skills you can continue to apply to artwork and life in general for years to come. Expert teachers are waiting to help you discover a brand new hobby today.
To read the full interview with actress Jo Kukathas, visit http://prestigeonline.com/sg/art-culture/-/veni-vidi-vici-thespian-jo-kukathas-returns-stage-julius-caesar/.